2019 - The South African Department of Employment & Labour Disclaimer PAIA National Association of Police Athletics/Activities League. I feel they abuse their use of the name to maybe convey a false sense to the community about who they are and what they really do with the money.. Just want you notified that they are calling on area code 203 #s in CT now. Other policies that the NPA promotes include aggressive stop-and-frisk tactics and broken windows policingstrategies that have resulted in unconstitutional practices that undermine civil liberties. As Smarter Giving notes, what is actually supports is the bank balances of its chief executives. And cops are facing increasing disrespect on the streets as criminals have become emboldened by the wave of anti-cop rhetoric in the news media and by many politicians. It turns out Police and Fire Retirees of Ohio is a legitimate non profit lobbying group, though it is not a charity under IRS rules. Law Enforcement for a Safer America officials did not return repeated requests for comment. Consumer Protection. At the end of 2021, robocalls raising money for police groups were thehighest-volume phone messages in most major U.S. markets, according to Nomorobo, a robocall-blocking company that works with AARP on fraud prevention. If a charity is forced to move its headquarters to a new state on account of the dodgy dealings and underhand practices its been getting up to in its old home, anyone with any sense should know to keep well away, Unfortunately, the United States Deputy Sheriffs Association is well versed enough in manipulation to convince even the most well-meaning of folk that its still a cause worthy of their support. The matter now heads to the Senate, where the disapproval resolution may pass if every Republican plus rebellious Democratic Senator Joe Manchin (W.Va.) support the effort. By choosing the . There have been calls circulating from a Police Officers Support Association asking for credit card donations. Registration with any of these state agencies does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by any state. In two words, its not. About $1.8 million went toward the salaries of union officials, including $199,700 for Cabral, the president. The National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. See the metrics below for more information. The websites describe his career in law enforcement and his role as the creator of the police officers safety act legislation carried by former San Diego Congressman Randy Duke Cunningham. I asked them to mail me a bill instead and they did , I called the phone number on the letter and did not get a respond so I decided to go to their website . As the list of high-profile police shootings has grown in recent years and calls to defund the police have gotten louder, tensions between protesters and those who have rushed to the support of police some of whom have become part of a Blue Lives Matter movement have been building. It's always a variation of the above name. Individual officers can also become members, according to its website. Most of the money raised went to telemarketing 87 percent and other expenses. The robot voice saying the call would be recorded for record purposes sounded so real but it was just him. Eagerly he asked if I was comfortable with that amount. So I would like to say just beware of scammers , Ive copied the letter I received so in hopes that people will know not to donate unless you are 109% sure it not a scam. Please note that many legitimate local (and unaffiliated) police foundations and organizations may solicit donations from local communities via telephone and mail. For more information, please see our That way, you avoid all of . The NPAs immigration proposalAuthorizing local law enforcement officers to perform federal immigration law enforcement functionsis based on fear-mongering and a clear recipe for abuse and division. The BBB said days later, the New Jersey State Police photo had been removed from the site. A union receptionist also confirmed to CNN that the super PAC is run by the union, but union leaders did not respond to repeated calls, voicemails and emails that laid out the concerns from other police departments and donors and asked why so little of the $10 million raised went toward political activities. As our conversation continued, the caller would lower the amount of funding he was requesting. Just hang up. . AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. Continuously redirected to the toll free number provided which cut out each time it was listed. While several recordings uploaded online show that some callers have briefly mentioned the term PAC or have said that the group is supporting efforts to elect lawmakers to advocate for certain issues, the Montana attorney general wasnt the only person to say the group hadnt identified itself as required. Filed Jan. 29, 2020, 3:45 p.m. GMT. President Trump pardoned the sheriff even after the Department of Justice described Arpaio as being responsible for the worst case of racial profiling in U.S. history. . One of the more successful scams is when the scammer poses as one of many charities benefitting Law Enforcement. Super PACs generally have far fewer state-level reporting requirements and are regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC), which has fewer enforcement options than the IRS. And soon, you say, sure, why not? The call was spoofed to appear to be from [a] Montana phone number, he wrote, noting that the caller did not identify the group as a political action committee, or super PAC, and telling his followers that it was not a nonprofit so donations are not tax deductible. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. He also wanted to highlight law enforcements hard work across the country. appreciated. proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. Is National police Support Fund legit? Write the names of the shady businesses in the comments section below, too. Your email address will not be published. Bass, who set up several other super PACs, declined to comment. Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common respect for the rule of law and united in their support for the police officers who put their lives on the line every day in their communities. Of those who gave more than $200, which are required to be disclosed to the federal government, roughly 80% were retirees, according to an analysis of the data. As a wife of a police officer this is absolutely disgusting! she stated. Some telemarketers who claim to be raising money for causes like homeless veterans and cancer victims work for political action committees , not charities, and keep much of the money they raise. The National Policing Institute, a national, Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization dedicated to advancing policing through science and innovation, has received information from several individuals who have been contacted by solicitors asking for donations in support of the "National Policing Institute," or in some cases the "National Police Fund," which we are not affiliated . generic photos, there is no real content validating that they do anything to actually support the police. I did satisfy my rather small donation at their website https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com . Msg&data rates may apply. Read Also: Do You Have To Call The Police After An Accident, 2021 KnowYourPolice.net The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. The National Police Support Fund is a national coalition committed to promoting the interests of America's. They would have soundboards with prerecorded bits that would play and give the impression they were talking to a live person but in reality it was just someone playing bits off a soundboard, he said. A profit according to Investopedia.com is revenue that exceeds expenses. After I rejected he offered some booster donations of 15,25, 35 dollars to Goodwill or other organizations. Founded in 1978, NAPO is the strongest unified . In a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, another woman, whose name was redacted, said she received multiple calls from the National Coalition for Police and Troopers, one of the super PACs various aliases. Tax records show the Fotis organization that phoned me raised $75,000 in 2021, up from $50,000 the year before. Nonprofit however does not mean they are a charity. You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. Some tips for consumers: Listen carefully for the name of the organization. At the end of 2021, robocalls raising money for police groups were the highest-volume phone messages in most major U.S. markets, according to Nomorobo, a robocall-blocking company that works with AARP on fraud prevention. American Association of State Troopers claims to support retired state troopers. I said no i was told I would be sent a pledge form. The National Police Support Fund has a website and even a Facebook page to make them look legit, but hundreds of articles pop up from sources like the Better Business Bureau, The National Police Foundation and more warning people NOT to donate to this organization. Read Also: How Do You Know If The Police Are Investigating You. Cookie Notice With this in mind, the midterm election saw a new partnership between us, the National Police Support Fund, and the. Many of these names could easily be confused with public charities, such as Autism Speaks, National Association of Police Organizations, or Veterans Assistance Foundation. In about 7 years (through March 2018), the union and relief fund spent a total of approximately $102.3 million, of which $82.3 million went towards fundraising. The call came to Get Gephardt to investigate who exactly it is that's making those calls. "The National Police Support Fund is neither a 501(c)3 nor a 501(c)4 organization, but rather a political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. Alexandria, VA. National Police Support Fund and United Police Fund came together this November to urge Northern Virginians to get out the vote in, National Police Support Fund, Inc.Office/Mailing Address:2800 Eisenhower Drive Suite 220Alexandria, VA 22314, Donation Processing Center:PO Box 26248Alexandria, VA 22313-2648, Phone: (571) 364-6520Email: info@nationalpolicesupportfund.com, By providing your phone number, you are consenting to receive calls and SMS/MMS msgs, including autodialed and automated calls and texts using prerecorded voice, to that number from the National Police Support Fund. Around 200 consumer complaints have also been made to state and federal regulators about the super PAC, its aliases and related groups. The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. It sounded like the solicitor was calling from a boiler room, where individuals dial from a list of working phone numbers. Simple: less scrutiny. But none of the money being raised actually goes to police departments, according to government records. The answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. Its made up of series of regular steps timed to the beat of the music that can be improvised as needed. The application also included the name Police Officers Defense Coalition, as well as the Police Officers Defense Alliance. National Police Support Fund is dedicated to providing a united voice for true Americans who support our nation's law enforcement officers. The rest of the money has gone primarily to the firms helping it solicit donations including nearly $3 million in payments to one telemarketing company sued by the government last month for allegedly using deceptive tactics. The filings dont show how much the groups officials are directly benefiting from the political committee it created, and it is unclear why the group deemed it necessary to create so many different aliases to use for soliciting donations. Concerns of Police Survivors. You May Like: Do You Need A Degree To Become A Police Officer. FEC filings show that of the group's minimal political spending, most has gone toward pro-Trump advertising such as billboards. "As Pennsylvanians look to support [] Multiple voices could be heard in the background. National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much "So I really want to support the police for what they do.". The first one, the texh . and our President Trump pardoned the sheriff even after the Department of Justice described Arpaio as being responsible for the worst case of racial profiling in U.S. history. Together, the Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund and the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO, have spent about $82.3 million 77 percent of their operating expenditures on fundraising services from around 2011 to March 2018, according to a Public Integrity analysis of annual tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue . But these telemarketers bombarding our phone lines? "But I'm sure there are a lot that are not on the level, so you kind of have to be cautious," she said. In the first half of 2021, this organization reported donations of $4.3 million; expenditures were just under $4.2 million, the bulk of this going to overhead fundraising, lawyers, lead lists and so on. I recently took about a dozen of these police-support calls to hear the pitches. AiThority Interview with Lori Anne, Director of Product Development & Management at Verizon, Branded Caller ID: The Pros And Cons In The Battle Against Phone Scams, A New Scam Is Making the Rounds Just in Time for Tax Season, Smishing: The new year is here and so are new scams. National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues. Fundraising calls are allowed even if your number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. When I asked which state this drive was for, the caller could not answer and instead said it is for a national charity. Tax filings also show that the union operates its own call center and that a company the union controls purchased a nearly 20,000 square foot office building valued at more than $2.5 million, where the union is now based. Police Protection Fund. Law Enforcement for a Safer America has raked in nearly $10 million in donations from January 2019 to June 2020 . Also worth noting is that while his organization is based in Virginia, and gets its mail in Stafford, TX, Fotis lives in Lake Worth, FL. Learn how vehicle tech like blind spot warnings and drowsy driving alerts can help make driving safer. She verified my information and repeatedly asked me to promise to mail it back as soon as I received it. National Police Defense Foundation has earned a 81% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. I asked him where the money goes. Contributions made to National Police Support Fund are not tax-deductible. We found a website for them, but it gives very little information about the organization and their mission. This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for "defunding" the police. Contact us: contact@knowyourpolice.net, SCAM: National Police Support Fund donation, How To Get Insurance Information From Police Report, Is National Police Association Legitimate, How Many Years Of College To Become A Police Officer, Do You Need A Degree To Become A Police Officer, What Are The Steps To Becoming A Police Officer, How Many Hours To Become A Police Officer, What Education Do I Need To Be A Police Officer, How Do You Know If The Police Are Investigating You. Read Also: What Are The Best Police Boots, Read Also: How Do I Become A K9 Police Officer. I have asked 5 times to be removed from their call list, but they are still constantly calling, at this point it is harassment and it needs to STOP! Contributions are not tax deductible. Years later, as the success of the program and its activities grew, six chapters on the east coast decided to convene and discuss how athletics could be incorporated into the organizations programs. Wow! The charitys programs focus primarily on education, mentorship, and athletic activities that empower youth. IRS reports show that in 2011 alone, executive director Ken Howles drew an $87000 salary of the little money left over, only around 9-14% made its way into the hands of the troopers. And it's very easy to catch the eye of someone.". Charity hustles work the same way. Government documents show that the founding treasurer is currently an executive at the International Union of Police Associations. At least seven local police departments from around the country and a state attorney general have issued scam alerts and other notices about these fundraising efforts, warning residents in their communities as recently as this summer that they have no affiliation with this group. Recommended Reading: How To Become A Desk Police Officer, Also Check: Can Police Help Me Unlock My Car. I told him that I had some questions for him before I would donate. Read Also: What Are The Steps To Becoming A Police Officer. Andy Cottam is among the many who received the call. Montana Attorney General Tim Fox posted on Facebook last year about a call he received from Roy on behalf of the National Coalition for Police and Troopers. In researching the organizations, I discovered numerous similar-sounding names for PACs raising funds for police officers. Super PACs are able to raise unlimited amounts of money, which they can use to advocate for political candidates or causes. Simple web searches can show that the 'charitable organization' calling either 1 . AARP Membership LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. This policy has been repudiated by a significant number of law enforcement leaders, whose experience has led them to conclude that it would make their communities unsafe. Terms & conditions/privacy policy apply https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com/terms-of-service/, Contributions to the National Police Support Fund are not tax deductible. Here are some things you can do to avoid donating to a fake charity: Pay attention to the charity's name. Also Check: How To File A Police Report For Id Theft, You May Like: How Do Police Deal With Homeless. Recently, the District Attorney's office was made aware of calls from nearby area codes claiming to support local officers injured in the line of duty. Fake joke to start out. The PTRF/LEORF was created to provide specialized relief when, tragically, a law enforcement officer is killed in the line-of-duty or seriously injured in . Wow! This person spoke broken english and told me to donate using credit card. Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. These are Americas heroes. Videos on its site show cities in flames and say that officers have been injured during what the group describes as riots presumably referring to recent Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd. Absolutely no legitimate law enforcement backed organization would stoop to this level of begging for money. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. Political organizations including both the Democratic and Republican parties are nonprofits. If your phone rings, it's not us. The pop-up charity business is usually local, occasionally regional and rarely national. The solution, the letter says, is clear: Give our law enforcement officers the crime prevention tools they need. The application also included the name Police Officers Defense Coalition, as well as the Police Officers Defense Alliance. This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. On 12/30/2018, I received a call from (862) 333-2411 from a man with a deep voice and a southern accent, who identified himself as Dan, if I would like to make a donation to the National Police Trust Fund. The Police Officers Defense Alliance, for example, raised $3.2 million in 2020, and The American Police Officers Alliance raised $4.3 million. It appears their lack of transparency regarding where the money goes was the reason for the BBB caution. When I googled the fund, a BBB caution was the first result. We don't engage in telemarketing. All Rights Reserved. Being a generous person, she agreed to mail them $50. Why does this matter? The scripts were designed to give the impression that they were helping out officers versus lobbying efforts, he said, adding that the political affiliation was only fully disclosed when someone proactively asked where the money would be going. Law Enforcement for a Safer America does not disclose on its website who is running the super PAC, but public filings reveal that leaders of one of the countrys largest police unions are pulling the strings. Another law enforcement charity that faced disciplinary action was the American Association of State Troopers, which was fined a total of $321,115 in three states - Georgia, Mississippi and Pennsylvania. The FTC and charity regulators and law enforcement officials in every state have teamed up on more than 100 actions against dozens of fake charities, which have collected tens of millions of . BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - From unmarked strip-mall offices in small-town Alabama, the calls go out across the United States, meant to talk people into giving . So, the next time you get this call, hang up. . 4. proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. Free online workshop! And the Morton Police Department in Illinois posted on Facebook about calls from a mysterious phone number with a local area code last year. Can the police officers count on you?. That is equivalent to 2.7 percent of the $2.7 million the organization raised from donors that year, according to its federal tax return. @GunOwners. 7:35 AM EDT, Fri October 16, 2020. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. When I asked which state this drive was for, the caller could not answer and instead said it is for a national charity. When a solicitor for one of these groups calls a prospective donor the pitch will include the truthful statement that they are a nonprofit organization. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. He said that although it is more expensive for super PACs to solicit small donations which is what this one is doing spending so much on operations and so little on political activities is unusual. Privacy Policy. National Police Support Fund representatives have been phoning potential donors in the St. Louis area over the past several weeks, including the wife of a retired police officer who said she . We are just passing along the information if you get a suspicious call asking for money for police officers.. Similarly, the Police Coalition of America, which promises "to enact positive change and legislation that protects our citizens as well as our law enforcement," spent $530,000 on . He said his father has always leaned heavily Democratic, supported President Barack Obama and previously expressed strong anti-Trump views. Pearl S Buck International's stated purpose is to provide opportunities to explore and appreciate other cultures, build better lives for children around the globe and promote the legacy of our founder by preserving and interpreting her National Historic Landmark home. Go to their website and give there or call the number listed. Each organization says it is spending money for police officers being abused and unfairly targeted. It said callers were soliciting support for police officers but that the group was actually connected to a political action committee. That means of a $35 donation, no more than $3.50 goes to their stated cause, highest-volume phone messages in most major U.S. markets. It wasnt the usual automated call, and hearing a human voice kept me on the line. The Better Business Bureau is warning about an organization that calls itself the National Police Support Fund which, despite soliciting contributions from St. Louis-area donors, isn't . The case has not yet been resolved. The VIRGINIA POLICE FUND is an advocate on behalf of law enforcement to ensure they receive adequate funding for proper training and equipment and to inform the public about the issues facing law enforcement.. Virginia's law enforcement officers are some of the best trained officers in the world, however, with the limited resources of local communities, outside professional training is . She said she was told the group was a charity benefiting police and troopers. The first thing I noticed was that I wasnt talking to live people; the answers all sounded scripted and recorded. Another useful fact: Organizations that file reports with the FEC have to list a treasurer. Quoting from its website, the Committee for Police Officers Defense is a 527 Committee designed to seek out radical prosecutors, judges and district attorneys. Another organization is named on the website as well The Police Officers Defense Coalition. 2023 Cable News Network. While there are no requirements dictating the percentage of money that must go toward political activities, campaign finance expert Rob Pyers has dubbed the group a Scam PAC because of its high operating expenses and negligible political spending. First Responders Children's Foundation. And Law Enforcement for a Safer America appears to be cashing in. Clint Bates. For example, in 2019, nearly 90% of the organizations income was spent on its programming. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Police Unity Tour. In the wake of tragedies large and small, they pop up like mushrooms after a rain. I've asked them repeatedly to stop calling this typically results in additional calls back to back from different numbers. Many donors say they believed they were supporting a charity that helps local officers. Get a FREE subscription to AARP The Magazine. In fact, former employees of these types of fundraisers have testified about how they used soundboard technology to play prerecorded messages as responses, in part so they could talk to several donors at once. The calls asking for donations come from aliases like the Police Officers Support Association and The National Coalition for Police & Troopers. Dont send your money to a national group collecting for causes that may not always be clear. The source of the funding information was OpenSecrets, a database that tracks spending in U.S. politics run by the Center for Responsive Politics. Many legitimate charities support local firefighters and police, active duty military, and veterans, or their families. For example, in the tax year that ended March 2018, the Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund gave 11 families an average of $6,545 apiece. Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor specializing in campaign finance and political corruption, said the fact that the super PAC had spent such a huge proportion of its contributions on its own expenses was jaw dropping and that it was equally concerning to hear that fundraisers were going after the elderly who they may consider easy marks.. Videos on Law Enforcement for a Safer America's website show cities in flames and say that officers have been injured during what the group describes as riots. According to an analysis by The Center for Public Integrity (CFPI), the names of some of these "scam PACs" are listed below. He said his father served in the Navy for nearly two decades and was always proud of his service. For example, a very well known and respected group is the Make a Wish Foundation. The first thing I noticed was that I wasnt talking to live people; the answers all sounded scripted and recorded.