Ques. over police agency money pitches

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — An analysis of donations obtained by telemarketers who say they're working on behalf of Texas police organizations shows much of the money collected by phone solicitors may never reach the people it's intended to help.

The Austin-American Statesman reported ( http://bit.ly/xEg1q6 ) Sunday that some companies that employ solicitors appealing to the sympathy of people who answer their phone calls use up to 80 percent of the money raised to cover fundraising costs.

The newspaper said that what's left over often leaves few dollars for direct aid to officers, which is the pitch made by groups claiming to represent law enforcement agencies.

The newspaper also found fundraisers have little oversight or regulation and often use names that sound like official agencies or say they aid fallen officers. But Texas already provides benefits to families of fallen officers and offers training for law enforcement, negating the need for such donations.

The list of police groups using telemarketing in Texas shows about 20 law enforcement associations currently are registered to conduct telephone solicitations and they've hired telemarketing firms based both in Texas and across the country.

In 2009, the most recent year with complete data, three of the largest law enforcement organizations using telephone solicitations reported proceeds totaling nearly $7 million, much of it from phone donations.

Supporters say the efforts are successful and honest. But several law enforcement groups, including the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, the state's largest, favor dues from members to raise money rather than appeal to the public for donations.

Telemarketing "has been a blight, a cancer, on the face of law enforcement," said Charley Wilkison, director of public affairs for the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas.

Allan Polunsky, who chairs the Texas Public Safety Commission, said lawmakers should do more to oversee the practice.

"I certainly feel there should be some formula put in place that would ensure that the majority of funds generated through solicitation, however that is accomplished, be used for the benefit of our state troopers and employees," he told the newspaper. "I think it would be appropriate for the Legislature to take a look at this in the future."

In December, Attorney General Greg Abbott sued the Texas Highway Patrol Association, contending it defrauded donors and used contributions for personal reasons for its officials, who deny the allegations.

One national group registered to do telemarketing in Texas, the Disabled Police and Sheriffs Foundation, reported nearly $900,000 in revenue in 2010 and spent more than 90 percent of that on fundraising.

"Fundraising is a very expensive undertaking," the foundation's executive director, David Kenik, said. "We outsource the service because we are a training/officer training company, not a fundraising company. Our experience and dedication is best directed toward helping officers."

A few groups are listed as charities and contributions to them are tax-deductible. Most, however, are nonprofits, professional associations or police unions and contributions to them are not deductible for tax purposes.

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Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com