Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has boasted that he will be the "law and order" candidate, and now the nation's largest police union, the National Fraternal Order of Police, has endorsed him.

“He’s made a real commitment to America’s law enforcement and we’re proud to make a commitment to him and his campaign by endorsing his candidacy today,” President Chuck Canterbury said in a statement. "He understands and supports our priorities and our members believe he will make America safe again."

Trump sought the union's support this summer — pledging to be their "cheerleader" — and the real estate mogul has made crime and what he sees as disrespect for law enforcement a centerpiece of his campaign.

The National Fraternal Order of Police has made presidential endorsements for nearly 100 years, although curiously it sat out the 2012 race amid rumors that Mitt Romney's history of anti-union stances turned off its membership.

The union backed John McCain in 2008, George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004, but they did break from tradition to support Democratic President Bill Clinton in 1996.