Snyder Steps Down as Lodge 86 President

Rick Snyder is leaving the Indianapolis FOP Lodge 86 presidency to run for National FOP vice president.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in People

Rick Snyder stepped down as president of Indianapolis FOP Lodge 86 and announced his candidacy for vice president of the National Fraternal Order of Police. Bobby Ferguson will succeed him as Lodge 86 president.

Why it matters

The National FOP represents nearly 400,000 law enforcement officers, so its leadership shapes labor, legal and legislative positions for officers nationwide. For Indianapolis, the move moves a local lodge leader into a national role.

Lodge 86 secured three contracts during Snyder's tenure, which coincided with a $400 million IMPD budget. The National FOP's nearly 400,000 represented officers form the base for the vice presidential race, whose result has not been determined.

The players

Rick Snyder

Rick Snyder is a longtime Indianapolis police union leader who has also served five years as National FOP chaplain.

Bobby Ferguson

Bobby Ferguson is a law enforcement veteran of more than 20 years who will succeed Snyder as Lodge 86 president.

Patrick Yost

Patrick Yost is the President of the National Fraternal Order of Police, the national body representing nearly 400,000 officers.

The details

Snyder announced his candidacy at a weekend event and discussed the decision on The Hammer and Nigel Show. As vice president he would work alongside the national president on labor, legal and legislative issues, and he has served as national FOP chaplain for five years.

Nov. 8, 2026: Snyder announced his decision to step down and seek national office at a weekend event.
Nov. 9, 2026: Snyder discussed the move on The Hammer and Nigel Show.

Market Landscape

Snyder's candidacy follows the national FOP's structure, in which the vice president works alongside the national president on labor, legal and legislative matters. The race places an Indianapolis lodge leader within that national leadership ladder.

Indianapolis residents may see a new Lodge 86 president, Bobby Ferguson, handling local contract and budget matters. The national vice presidential election will determine who helps set labor and legislative positions for officers across the country.

The takeaway

Local union leadership changes can carry national consequences when leaders move up the organization. Readers tracking police labor policy should watch how the National FOP vice presidential race unfolds.