On June 4, 1948, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) granted
formal recognition to the United Plant Guard Workers of America (UPGWA).  At its inception, there were twelve locals in five states with a total membership of 1,250.  Today, the International Union has approximately 20,000 members throughout the United States and Canada.  Its members are employed by leading companies and institutions such as: Ford Motor Company, Boeing, SBI Nuclear, Lucent Technologies, Pinkerton, Chrysler, University of Dayton, Colleges and Universities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Wachovia Center, Walt Disney World, Allied Signal, Kennedy Space Center, Borg Warner, Acme Steel, Total Armored Services, and others.

In 1970, Temple University's Safety Officers, now Campus Police, were organized by Local 506 UPGWA at the request of Isaac Johnstone and several other Officers.

The year 1985 marked the birth of Local 511 when the International Union approved the separation of the Temple Unit from Local 506.  Harold Quinn, Dwight Duley and John Thomas were the founders of the new Local.

Over the years, Local 511 has expanded to include the Center City District, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

In May 2000, the union's name was changed to Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) at the International Union Convention, in recognition of the diversity of its representation in the field of protective services.
  
Organizing

On August 4, 2001, Local 511 commenced a comprehensive organizing drive to recruit 1,000 Campus Police and Security Personnel into the union. The intent was to:

• Expand and leverage the Union's social, economic and political base;

• Unite the unorganized within the field of protective services, under the umbrella of Local 511 and the International Union;

• Enhance employment mobility; and

• Extend the professional representation by Local 511 to those who have never experienced the benefits of quality Union advocacy.