This fundraising effort doesn’t help local officers, West Richland police said
West Richland police are warning people about a misleading fundraising flier they may have recently received in the mail.
While people contributing to the organization believe they’re giving to a charity to help police officers, the money is really going to a political action committee with no ties to Washington state.
The department posted a warning on Facebook about a letter some in the community have received asking for donations for the “Police Officers Support Association PAC a special program of Law Enforcement for a Safer America PAC.”
“Today, I was made aware of another scam,” West Richland police posted on Facebook. “This one looks legit and asks for a small donation and arrives via mail.”
It simply thanks the person for giving money and then asks for another donation.
Other law enforcement groups consider it a scam, West Richland police said on Facebook.
The organization was one of several that rose to prominence in 2020 capitalizing on “Blue Lives Matter” sentiments, according to a CNN article.
The group claims to back pro-police candidates, but CNN reported only 2% of its funding through June 2020 went toward political activities. Mostly it was to support then President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign.
According to the Federal Elections Commission, the Law Enforcement for a Safer America PAC has raised $11 million between January 2021 and May 31, 2022. In the same time period, it lists $403,820 in contributions to candidates.
Neither the Police Officers Support Association nor the Law Enforcement for a Safer America PAC are registered with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission.
An AARP post about these super PACs explains that there is less oversight of the committees then there are of charities.
There are options for Tri-Citians looking to donate to help local police agencies. Most agencies do have foundations that accept money that will either help the community or officers.
This includes the West Richland Community Care Foundation, which helps police pay for items people may need when they interact with them.
People can reach the foundation by email at wrcommunitycare@gmail.com.
Kennewick, Pasco and Richland police departments and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office also have foundations that accept donations. They can be reached at:
- Pasco Police Foundation at info@pascocares.org
- Kennewick Police Foundation at kpdfoundation509@gmail.com
- Richland Police Department Foundation at info@richlandpdf.org
- Benton County Sheriff Foundation has a website at gobcsf.org
This story was originally published July 16, 2022 at 5:00 AM.