California Masons seek distance from Masonic Fraternal Police Department after arrests

The three people arrested for allegedly impersonating officers as part of the Masonic Fraternal Police Department in Los Angeles have no ties to the Masons of California, a spokeswoman for the statewide umbrella group said Thursday.

“We are so not affiliated with them that I wouldn’t even know where to point you,” Emily Limón said.

The arrests of Brandon Kiel, a community affairs liaison to Attorney General Kamala Harris, and two others said to be operating as part of the rogue law enforcement group have renewed focus on the Masons, the world’s first and largest fraternity.

Authorities say Kiel referred to himself as “chief deputy director” of the MFPD, which on its website claims jurisdiction in 33 states and Mexico and dates back to 1100 B.C. “Chief” David Henry, a grand master in the Masons, was reportedly taken into custody wearing a phony police uniform.

The MFPD contends that grand masters in various states face serious safety concerns for their jurisdictions and family members.

Limón said she’s never heard of Masonic lodges forming their own security ranks, let alone police departments, and has never seen any need to do so.

She pointed to her group’s website, which says Masonry is based on the belief that “each man has a responsibility to help make the world a better place.”

“Masonry is a brotherhood of like-minded men who genuinely care about each other,” the statement said. “We develop lifelong friendships with fellow Masons and their families, and are welcomed at Masonic lodges throughout the United States and the world.”

Margaret C. Jacob, a history professor at UCLA and an expert on freemasonry, agreed with Limón about the unusual nature of the MFPD.

“There is nothing normal about” it, Jacob wrote in an email. “It all is bizarre.”

This story was originally published May 7, 2015 at 1:15 PM.