Posted: 9/8/2006 8:36:30 PM EDT
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I am in the habit of donating to my state FOP lodge... but I am not sure how much I am actually helping my local LEOs. (No, I'm not doing it because I want the "get out of a speeding ticket" FOP sticker. Seriously.) If I wanted to donate a little money to an organization that actually does help police, perhaps by taking care of their families when they are killed, for example, which one do you guys recommend? (I was once pulled over and written a ticket with both an NRA and FOP sticker prominently displayed... must have been ticket day?) Is the FOP basically like a labor union? Should I be donating? (Do LEOs care if someone has an FOP sticker on their car?) |
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To make a long answer short NO,YES,No. ETA: OK the FOP is a fraternity for LEO and correction officers who make a living by that trade. They can provide assistance to its members by financal or legal means, They can provide assistance as a group or indvidually to the families of fallen officers. They can and will help get laws. rules and regulations changed for local agencies and state agencies to help protect them and or make life a little easier. Yes you should donate to the FOP if want to help the men and women who do this as a profession. It could also help their families but only if you wish to help your fellow man out. Most LEO's are under paid and have the crappiest benefit package, there are exceptions but just a few. NO most of the guys in my department dont care if you have stickers on your vehicle. if its some minor traffic offense it MIGHT get you a break. But if you screw up and do something stupid beyond belief the sticker doesn't mean anything other than you donated to help support us in doing our job it will get you a thank you. But it will not give you a pass to act like a fool. If you want to give to your local PD then give it directly to them. don't expect the rewards to return in full back to your area if you send a check 200 miles away. |
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I think that the FOP had been a HUGE Help. When my mom was assulted by an inmate and ended up in the hospital for two days, the FOP not only donated some money for the bill, but had one of their members there the whole stay. More recently they gave out five, 500$ scholarships. Three to the SO's for officers to help with continuing school, and two for sons/daugher's of officers to help with collage. As a side note, I recived one of those student scholarships last year and it was a huge help when my student loan fell throught a few days later. I ended up having towork two jobs and go to school, but the money made life a little bit easier. So obviously I might have a bit of a un-biased opinion, but I think you donations are making a difference, Thank you |
If you just want to donate "in general" the state FOP is a good one to donate to. (Thanks by the way!) If you want the money to go directly to a specific agency (pd, sheriff's office, etc..) give it to them, but make sure you designate the money for something. If not it will usually go to something that is not needed (I know this from experience and have a shiny new pen to show for it!  )Designating the money for training would be the best option, IMHO. My pd received a donation that was designated for training and we used it to buy Simmunition training equipment, which we have been trying to get in the budget for years. Unfortunately, in my experience, it seems that law enforcement agencies don't spend what is needed on solid training for their officers, usually through no fault of their own, it's just that the funds usually are not available. I hope this helps out with your question. |
Long answer. Yes it's ok, but there is something better: I would recommend you look into Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) if you're looking to donate to a charity that helps families of fallen officers. They fit your description to a tee. When I start to think of how much this organization has helped officers' families, I start to get choked up. Executive Director Suzie Sawyer is a true angel to families of fallen officers. Concerns Of Police Survivors |
I'm hoping my response is the one you're referring to. COPS is a great organization, and one which you think would have a bandwagon of big name sponsors. This is not the case. There are only five corporate sponsors who have given over $2500. There are only two of them whose names you would likely recognize. Most of their funding comes from an annual federal grant that supports a 3 day Trauma In Law Enforcement in 5 separate major cities annually. Law enforcement fraternal groups and private individuals/familes make up the majority of the group's funds. |
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