Political organizations including both the Democratic and Republican parties are nonprofits. They do disclose, however, that of the nearly $10 million raised, the super PAC gave more money back to the union roughly $350,000 for office, operational and overhead expenses than the $173,500 it spent on political activities between January 2019 and June 2020. proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. Enter address: This website, like most media sites, uses small files called cookies to anonymously customize the advertising that you see. Our officers deserve our respect and support, the Super PACs website reads. As a wife of a police officer this is absolutely disgusting! she stated. Entire local police unions, which negotiate collective bargaining agreements for their members, can choose to affiliate with the group. Why does this matter? When I googled the fund, a BBB caution was the first result. Registration with any of these state agencies does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by any state. Your email address will not be published. Just want you notified that they are calling on area code 203 #s in CT now. She verified my information and repeatedly asked me to promise to mail it back as soon as I received it. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. 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 . Home - NPTA Donations As our conversation continued, the caller would lower the amount of funding he was requesting. 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. We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. Fundraising calls are allowed even if your number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. Donations have surged to a 'scam' political group that claims - CBS58 Find Best Charities To Donate | Charity Ratings, Reviews The International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO was formed in 1979 to collectively represent those in law enforcement that are active or retired law enforcement officers to fight to improve, protect, and remember the lives of officers and their families in law enforcement the organization also works to improve legislation that protects and affects public safety officers, as well as representing the needs of law enforcement officers and support personnel, whether that be for better equipment, more staff or a fair wage. The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. I received a call today from someone from The National Police Support Fund, who claimed to be collecting money for a drive. You May Like: Do You Need A Degree To Become A Police Officer. he transferred me to check my address. Clint Bates. National Police support fund - Shack Feel We don't engage in telemarketing. SCAM: National Police Support Fund donation. "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. Up until the latest tax year when the groups appear to have changed how they categorize certain expenditures the pattern was largely the same from year to year: A small number of families received a couple thousand dollars apiece top employees of the union received more than $100,000 apiece and tens of millions went to telemarketers. 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. Email us: watchdog@cnn.com. Campaign finance data, however, shows that about 98% of the money spent is not being used for this mission. 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. 9 Best Charities for Law Enforcement in the US (Complete 2023 List) Asking for donations to the National Police Support Fund. Andy Cottam is among the many who received the call. He said his father has always leaned heavily Democratic, supported President Barack Obama and previously expressed strong anti-Trump views. With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community. 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 . He said his father served in the Navy for nearly two decades and was always proud of his service. Law Enforcement for a Safer America has raked in nearly $10 million in donations from January 2019 to June 2020, according to data reported to the Federal Election Commission. Woman suspicious after calls to help police. CONSUMER ALERT: AG Shapiro Warns of Scams Related to Donations for National Police support fund {February 2023} Reviews, Is National Lots of different special interest groups are nonprofits, including some private businesses that pay their executives quite well. Trade groups like those that represent the fast food or soft drink producers operate as nonprofits. If you want fundraisers to stop calling, ask them to put you on the charitys do not call list. Hispanic Federation (New York City) Abandoned Children's Fund. National Police Support Fund is dedicated to providing a united voice for true Americans who support our nation's law enforcement officers. The charitys programs focus primarily on education, mentorship, and athletic activities that empower youth. Charities face relatively rigorous review from the Internal Revenue Service, and most states require them to register before they can operate there. National Police Support Fund This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for "defunding" the police. In telemarketing calls, DPSF fundraisers told people that donations would be used for grants to disabled officers and to the families of officers slain in the line of duty. Up to June 2020, only 2% of the groups spending went toward political activities mainly for advertisements supporting President Donald Trumps reelection, according to data filed with the FEC. The website soliciting funds for Arpaio says, Liberals have targeted Sheriff Joe Arpaio with a multi-million dollar lawsuit because he was upholding the law of the land. I asked him if the organization supports Donald Trump. The fund is a real nonprofit organization, but it is a political group created "primarily to influence the selection, nomination, election, appointment or defeat of candidates to federal, state or local public office. Now those same anarchists that rioted and assaulted law enforcement officers are using the Taliban playbook by destroying public statues and monuments while advocating for defunding law enforcement agencies, a narrator states in a video from July, as protests continued across the country. In the report, National Police Support Fund reported about $61,000 in . But these telemarketers bombarding our phone lines? Theres just one week to go before the midterm election. Many donors say they believed they were supporting a charity that helps local officers. One hit wonders seeking to cash in on the tragedy of the day from floods and fires to missing children and more. This Florida-based union touts its federal lobbying efforts on behalf of local members. The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. This was up from roughly $1 million raised by the group, which was founded in June 2018, in the last six months of the prior election cycle. Police charity caution: How to know if it's a scam - WCPO A special program within the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO.Speaking With One Voice, Moving With One Purpose. Among the other warnings: The Miami Township Police in Ohio issued a scam alert in June referencing calls circulating from a Police Officers Support Association asking for credit card donations. The Reading Police Department in Massachusetts described the Police Officers Support Association as a scam charity last year. But whats the truth. It was found that only 2.7% of donations to the relief fund actually went to the families of fallen officers. The charitys affiliation with the government. A warning tonight about calls targeting people around the Tri-State asking them to help support the police. Police charity imposters: Watch out for donation scam phone calls - WITI The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States and was organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative advocacy, political action and education. 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. National Police Grassroots Organization Releases 2022 Law Enforcement The Better Business Bureau says if anyone calls or knocks asking you to help the police, the best thing you can do is ask them for information before you agree to donate. Contributions made to National Police Support Fund are not tax-deductible. January 11, 2019. The Police Are Always Asking For Money But Where Does That Money Go This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. Years later, as the success of the . ', Fleeing Suspect Arrested on Trolley After Man Stabbed Multiple Times Downtown, San Diego Neo-Nazi Robert Wilson Suspected in Anne Frank House Incident, Sierra Snowpack Grows to Nearly Double Normal, Easing California Drought, Theatre Week Becomes Theatre Month Enjoy Deals As Low As $15 All Through March, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. 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. I asked him where the money goes. It only means they do not seek to make a profit on their activities. These charities usually rake in a few thousand dollars and disappear. Especially after a tragedy or military-related event, fundraisers and causes show up on social media and people create crowdfunding campaigns to help those affected. On 11/4 another local call came it was the same man! 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. Write the names of the shady businesses in the comments section below, too. People are receiving phone scam calls asking for donations to help out local police departments or slain and wounded police offers. Multiple attempted calls from one number. : r/Scams. It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. The call came to Get Gephardt to investigate who exactly it is that's making those calls. Eagerly he asked if I was comfortable with that amount. And the Morton Police Department in Illinois posted on Facebook about calls from a mysterious phone number with a local area code last year. It said callers were soliciting support for police officers but that the group was actually connected to a political action committee. Dozens of fake charities scammed donations for veterans the pocketed "So I really want to support the police for what they do.". "My brother was a police officer, my cousin was a cop and one of my sons is a cop," she said. Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common . National Association of Police Athletics/Activities League. 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. The National Police Support Fund. The fundraisers connection to the charity. Beware: That Call for Police Donations May Be from a Political Action Dont send your money to a national group collecting for causes that may not always be clear. Below are a few tips for screening for legitimate charities. If it is a scam they are awfully convincing on the phone but are also rather forceful. 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. . Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. KENNER, LA (WVUE) - The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office warns of a scam from the "American Police Officers Alliance" asking for donations for law enforcement. National Police Association Inc. has earned a 60% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. By choosing the . 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. I've asked them repeatedly to stop calling this typically results in additional calls back to back from different numbers. Donating to help police or other first responders The vast majority of donations since 2019 were under $200, meaning the funds came from tens of thousands of donors. Each organization says it is spending money for police officers being abused and unfairly targeted. Do police call for donations? 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. American Association of State Troopers claims to support retired state troopers. What they do: ThePolice Unity Tour raises funds and awareness for members of law enforcement who lost their lives during their service. 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. This includes marketing and outreach to supporters and communities, grassroots political efforts, and digital marketing efforts. Free online workshop! The National Police Support Fund : r/Scams - reddit Ten Law Enforcement Groups Among Worst Charities in America Absolutely no legitimate law enforcement backed organization would stoop to this level of begging for money. First Responders Children's Foundation. The I.U.P.A. Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily. What should we investigate next? 50 Worst Charities in America: How to Keep From Getting Scammed She said she was told the group was a charity benefiting police and troopers. In fact, as Ive previously , supporting law enforcement and supporting reform movements such as Black Lives Matter are not mutually exclusive. The funds raised during their 4-day long ride are donated directly to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. That way, you avoid all of . 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. After I rejected he offered some booster donations of 15,25, 35 dollars to Goodwill or other organizations. It sounded like the solicitor was calling from a boiler room, where individuals dial from a list of working phone numbers. It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. Not authorized by any candidate or candidates committee.Paid for by National Police Support Fund, Inc. |Privacy & Refund Policy| Sitemap, Biggest Issues Facing Police Officers Today. He gave a range of donations to be made . Our mission is to promote the interests of our nation's police officers within our nation's political and public policy process. Last month the National Police Association (NPA) filed an ethics complaint against Rachael Rollins, the new district attorney for Suffolk County, Massachusetts (who recently . 2019 - The South African Department of Employment & Labour Disclaimer PAIA Required fields are marked *. Has anyone else recently seen an uptick and calls from various police support organizations? If the potential donors suspected they had given to the group before, the callers were instructed to say: I have no way of knowing because we feel that donations are given from the heart, not the hand, so we keep all donation records confidential, according to the FAQ. Help us grow with a monthly contribution. 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. Our grassroots organization was formed under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, which allows us to engage in political activity. National Police and Troopers Association - NPTA - Yelp Type of a scam Charity. That link will take you to Illinois, where I live. Terms & conditions/privacy policy apply https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com/terms-of-service/, Contributions to the National Police Support Fund are not tax deductible. Is National police Support Fund legit? National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues. Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. Contributions are not tax deductible. The union has recently claimed to have more than 100,000 members, but the IUPA has reported around 20,000 members in tax filings. Learn more about how we use cookies in our cookie policy. Do You Have To Call The Police After An Accident, How Long Does It Take To Get Into Police Academy, How Many People Were Killed By Police In 2020, Where To File A Police Report For Car Accident. With tales of woe and heartbreaking images of children or helpless animals, they beg for assistance. Hope Cancer Fund The Tampa Bay Times and The Center for Investigative Reporting broke the charities up into five main categories: children, cancer, police/law enforcement, veterans, fire and other. On each call, my questions about how donations got spent mostly went unanswered. 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. Best and Worst Charities for Your Donations - Consumer Reports by Michelle Diament, April 2008. The tour began with 18 members of law enforcement, who rode from New Jersey to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. Their impact and transparency ratings: The Police Unity Tour holds a Financial rating of 84 out of 100 from Charity Navigator. Did you encounter any technical issues? Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. And that is likely the point. I also learned that they were sued in the biggest FTC case in history. In the wake of tragedies large and small, they pop up like mushrooms after a rain.