WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General-designate Alberto Gonzales won the backing Wednesday of the Fraternal Order of Police, the nation's largest police organization.
National F.O.P. President Chuck Canterbury cited Gonzales' distinguished record of service dating back to his years as a judge on the Texas Supreme Court, praising him for having demonstrated "a strong commitment to public safety and the men and women of law enforcement."
"Judge Gonzales has more than a distinguished record -- he is a man of honor and integrity," Canterbury said, adding he had "no doubt that he will be both a leader and a partner to local and state law enforcement."
Some liberal organizations have urged the Senate turn back Gonzales' nomination, accusing him of opposition abortion rights as well as indirect complicity in the torture of prisoners in Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison.
The F.O.P. has more than 300,000 members.
