Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Retired Chicago police officer Frank DiMaria has been elected president of the Italian American Police Association. An IAPA member since 1997, he previously served as second vice president.
Founded in 1964, the IAPA organizes and advocates on behalf of Italian Americans in law enforcement, and serves as a social, professional and charitable outlet for its membership.
“When I started going to their meetings, I thought, ‘This feels right. I like the concept. I like how they conducted their business,’” DiMaria recalls. “I’ve always felt like I belong, like I’m a part of a family.”
DiMaria’s plans include increasing membership and unity, and advocating vigorously for his members and police officers in general. “These are tough times to be a police officer: the toughest I’ve ever seen, and I joined the force in 1978,” he says. “Anything we can do to help, we’ll do it.”
DiMaria joined the Chicago Police Department in 1982, having previously served in Lake Forest. After spending eight years in the 15th District, he did stints in Gang Crimes and Special Operations.
Active in the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 since 1982, DiMaria began working full time for the FOP as a field representative in 2002, becoming a peer support officer a year later. He has served as a trustee and second vice president. Though he retired in 2014, he has continued to serve as a trustee.
He and his wife, Jackie, have two children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
