Here's the real deal on these groups. I don't know of any state or DOJ action that doesn't prohibit actual police agencies (local, state or federal) from soliciting funds. NO ONE is going to let police officers ask you to make a donation before they decide whether to give you a ticket or let you go with a warning! That's "official oppression". Law enforcement agencies are funded by tax dollars. The problem is that PRIVATE organizations (usually tax-exempt groups designated by the IRS as a 501,c,3 group)use names that make it sound like they're associated with law enforcement agencies. Many groups like "Sheriff's Association", "Police Benefit Fund", "Association of State Troopers" or other similar sounding groups provide little or NO direct benefit to law enforcement agencies. Frequently, the callers are actually telemarketers who claim to be exempt from the DNC lists because they are calling on behalf of 501,c,3 groups --thank you, IRS. The usual cost of these telemarketing campaigns is about 80% of whatever they collect! The sound-like groups don't care because they get 20% more than they would get without the telemarketers. The 20% usually goes to the "members" of the private groups or to pay their relatives to be consultants. A group may or may not have anything to do with actual law enforcement agencies-- even retired, off-duty group, etc. The callers don't usually say that they ARE police, sheriffs, or whatever, they just make it sound like it and leave it up to you to make the assumption. When you get a call, ask the caller for the specific name of their company, not on whose behalf the call is made, and if they are calling for a law enforcement agency or a private organization. Most of the time, they'll hang up and you won't get more calls or, if the group is anywhere close to legit, they'll put your number on the company's DNC list. IF they say they are a law enforcement agency (not calling for or on behalf of), they're lying and you should file a complaint with the FTC or your state's attorneys office. Regardless of who is calling, it's YOUR choice whether to make a donation or not! They're asking for YOUR money and you already pay for law enforcement through taxes!