In 1981, United Federation of Police Officers, Inc. (UFPO) was chartered as a national non-profit labor organization. UFPO membership is open to active and retired public sector employees of the United States Government and/or any state or local government employed in any capacity to provide for the orderly administration of justice or to promote the public health, safety and welfare. UFPO offers the same group and personal legal plan and welfare benefits, as NYSFOP.

Ralph M. Purdy was elected the 1st President of the United Federation of Police Officers, Inc. and negotiated the first police contract in the state of New York under the Taylor Law. This contract was settled with the Town of Greenburgh as a result of mediation along with Town Supervisor Edward Vetrano and New York State Mediator Milton Friedman. The Public Employees Fair Employment Act (the Taylor Law) is a New York State statute, named after labor researcher George W. Taylor. It authorizes a governor-appointed State Public Employment Relations Board to resolve contract disputes for public employees while curtailing their right to strike. Moreover, 2017 will mark the 50th Anniversary of the The Public Employees Fair Employment Act, commonly known as “The Taylor Law” is a New York State statute and the law in many other states throughout the U.S.

Ralph Purdy who along with Executive Vice President Robert Gordon were two of the original co-authors of the By Laws for the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA), AFL-CIO and a member of the International Conference of Police Associations, AFL-CIO and a member of the International Conference of Police Associations, Inc., the fore­runner of the IUPA. He would also serve as President of the United Federation of Special Police Officers & Security Officers, Inc., as well as International President of the United Federation of Police Officers, Inc., (UFPO).

As President of the United Federation of Police Officers, Inc., Ralph Purdy donated the first $5,000 to Congressman Mario Biaggi, the Chairman of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). Congressman Mario Biaggi was the original sponsor of the bill which introduced legislation in order to recognize those who gave the supreme sacrifice in the performance of their duties by building the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. This would serve as a permanent reminder of the federal legislation which was signed into law by President John F. Kennedy on October 1, 1962 designating every May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and these hollow grounds would serve as a permanent memorial to those killed in the line of duty.