SCAM ALERT: National Police Association

Several members of our community have received letters from the National Police Association soliciting donations.

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The National Police Association has been flagged by multiple police departments and charity watchdogs for misleading fundraising practices, and donations may not benefit local law enforcement.

The National Police Association is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, meaning it has official IRS nonprofit status, but its operations and fundraising methods have raised significant concerns. Several police departments, including those in Massachusetts, Nevada, and Kentucky, have warned residents that mailings and phone solicitations from the group are misleading and may not support local police programs as claimed. The organization often solicits donations under the guise of supporting "quality-of-life policing” or local law enforcement, but the funds are not directed to any official police department.

Charity Navigator, a nonprofit that evaluates charities, gives the National Police Association a poor rating, with scores around 42–48% and a zero- star rating for accountability and financial transparency. This indicates that while the organization is legally a nonprofit, its financial practices and transparency are questionable.

The group uses unsolicited mailings, petitions, and phone calls to solicit donations. Letters often include alarming language about crime and urge recipients to contribute or sign petitions, creating a sense of urgency. Some recipients have reported follow-up calls pressuring them to pay pledged amounts or donate more, which is a common tactic in misleading fundraising campaigns. These solicitations are not affiliated with local police departments, and any money sent does not directly support community policing programs.

• Do not respond to unsolicited mail or phone calls claiming to be from the National Police Association.

• Verify fundraising requests through official city or police department channels before donating.

• Report suspicious mail or calls to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Check charity ratings on independent sites like Charity Navigator before contributing.

While the National Police Association is technically a non-profit, its fundraising practices are widely considered misleading, and donations are unlikely to benefit local police departments. Law enforcement agencies and charity watchdogs advise caution and recommend verifying any donation requests through official channels before contributing.