This is written to remind all Law Enforcement officials (especially newly elected officials) that continuous and adequate training is mandatory.  The safety and well being of Officers and of the community should be the number one concern of any official.  While getting adjusted to a new environment, an unexperienced person who is elected or appointed to a Law Enforcement position may sometimes have a tendency to overlook important Departmental policies such as adequate training.  If "training" is included in "Departmental Policy," it would then become apparent to all officials just how important training is to the Department.

Lawsuits filed against Law Enforcement agencies are possible.  In many cases, these lawsuits can cost more than some Departments' yearly operating budgets.  What can be done to counteract a possible lawsuit dilemma?  Adequate training of all personnel (from top-level Officers on down) is a mandatory first step.

A lack of proper and efficient training is one of the first items noticed in a lawsuit.  Without realizing it, adequate training is sometimes cut to a "get by with minimum" standard.  The safety and well being of Officers as well as that of the community are at stake.  Adequate training must be included in "Departmental Policy," and it must be adhered to.

In a court of law, inadequate training will show a gross neglect; and if training is improperly taught, acceptable standards are not met.  This gross neglect then falls back to the top Law Enforcement official and to the authorities responsible for that person's actions.  The outcome of the lawsuit is then placed on the Department and on the community it serves.  It is then time for the Commissioners or Council to take the necessary steps to correct the problem.  If proper training of the Officers involved had taken place, the embarrassing lawsuit action would not have taken place.

A complete training syllabus should be part of Departmental policy with accurate, documented records being kept which are acceptable to a court of law.  These records must show when training took place, where it took place, duration of training course(s), and what subjects were covered including scores and results of individual Officers.  The records must also indicate the Training Officer for each subject and that Officer's qualifications including whether or not the Officer is a "certified instructor."

Not only should a syllabus of Law Enforcement training be a part of the Department policy, but also a separate course should be included covering the specific needs of the community as well as the needs of the surrounding area.  Each community has its own specific and special requirements of Law Enforcement including racial and locality parameters.

Training courses should be designed to keep the Officers current in up-to-date methods of Law Enforcement skills and professionalism.  Training should be kept at a high level of motivation to encourage complete participation.

With highly trained Officers who are self-motivated and who are respected by the community they serve, discontent, poor performance, and lawsuits will be kept to a bare minimum.  Training, understanding, cooperation, and community respect are the keys to success in any Law Enforcement agency.

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 NEEDS AND HOW TO GET THEM
Fund Raising Ideas

By Captain Chuck Mantkus
NRLO Director of Training

(Also, check out NRLO's Advertising page for more ideas on items to promote at your next fundraiser )

INDEX - "Fund Raising Ideas"

• INTRODUCTION
• PAPER DRIVE
  (A "Paper Drive" is a term for securing funds to get the "items" we need.)
  "You will be surprised as to how fast the dollars and change add up."
• CHICKEN FRY
  "You are going to serve a sumptuous dinner that will cost you $1.00 or less."
• EVENT SECURITY
  "First of all, if you are going to apply for security at an event, a parade, traffic control, etc., you must first get the consent of your local Security Agencies."
• ADVERTISING
  "You now have the tools to get that item you need.  Whether it is duty gear, body armor, weapons, or peace of mind insurance."  

INTRODUCTION

It seems that every so often we receive an inquiry on how to go about getting items we desperately need but can't seem to find the funds to obtain them.  This is and has been a common problem among Law Enforcement agencies throughout the nation for as far back as I can remember.  They find it difficult to furnish the Regulars, let alone the Reserve/Auxiliary. 

There never seems to be enough up-to-date equipment or quantities; while on the other side of the fence, the criminal element is better equipped with a never ending supply of state-of-the-art weapons and the cash to procure them.  The problem then, is what and how do we go about fulfilling our needs at no cost to the Department?

FRIST of all, we have to decide WHAT we need the most; and make it the first on our list.  I want you to read this part first, and I am asking you to think it over very sincerely.  It may not be your first need, but it is right up there with most of them.

One of the major items that each and every one of you need is not always of a material structure.  It is the relationship between family and the job you undertook.  Is there "peace of mind" at home?  Does your family worry about what night happen to you when you are on duty?  Sure they do, and they also worry about what might happen to them if you are injured or even killed.  Does your agency's insurance cover you?  Does it cover you, the Reserve/Auxiliary Officer the same as it does the regular Officers?  What about hospital benefits when you can't work at your regular job?  Are there funds for your family after you are gone?  Take a few moments of your time to read what is available through your membership in NRLO.  You can get this low cost, "Peace of Mind" Insurance the same way as you can your body armor, your uniforms, and your gear or whatever else you have in mind.  Different programs may be labeled other than what you would use, but that part is up to you.  The main thing is to get the job done.

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PAPER DRIVE / EQUIPMENT

A "Paper Drive" is a term for securing funds to get the "items" we need.  We first figure out where and when we are going to have the drive.  Likely places would be a Super-Market, Mall, Fair, or any event where there would be many people in attendance.  By receiving permission from the storeowner, mall superintendent, or others in charge, you would Then set up a table and some chairs at the busiest entrance of the store or event. 

Make a large poster and place it on the table or wall, fence, (or both) asking for a donation for what you want or need.  You, the Reserve/Auxiliary Officer would be immaculate in your dress uniform ready to answer any and all questions on why you need the funds.  If you need body armor, tell them so, and tell them why you need it.  Don't be bashful.

Be ready to tell the citizens what you do for them, or what you have done.  Tell them you put your life on the line for them for no compensation.  How much money you have saved the city/county/state, etc.  They know what you are doing for them; they just need to be reminded.  This really works!

You will be surprised as to how fast the dollars and change add up.  Only do this type of promotion once every six months.  More often would defeat the program.

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CHICKEN FRY
"You are going to serve a sumptuous dinner that will cost you $1.00 or less." 

What other product can you purchase at so low a cost?  Perhaps one of your Officers or someone you know has a freezer and when chickens are on sale, you will have a place to store them until the time is right.  I have seen chicken legs and quarters as low as 19 cents a pound in 10-pound bags.  If you feel generous at the time of the event you can give each person a 1-pound piece of shicken, that only cost you 19 cents. 

Now for the rest of the meal.  Go to the manager of your local supermarket and tell him/her what you are doing and what it is for.  EXAMPLE:  Ask for potatoes (One item per store.  If they should ask if you could use anything else, tell them so).  Perhaps at the next store you could ask for cans of corn/beans.  At a bakery or Day-Old-Store you could ask for rolls, etc.  When told what the item is going to be used for and that they would be mentioned in your ad, you will have no problem.  What else do you want to serve?  Use the same approach with other items.

You are going to serve a sumptuous dinner that will cost you $1.00 or less.  You are going to charge $5.00 a ticket.  You can figure the rest out for yourself.  It's surprising how many people will volunteer to help, even without being asked.

Now where are you going to have this event?  Check with local churches, clubs (such as Elks, Legion, VFW, Masonic, etc.);  or check with your City Manager or County Commissioner to use one of the parks.  When it comes to cooking facilities and equipment, the ones mentioned will furnish them gladly.  If the event is going to be outside, pray for a sunny day or for a warm evening.

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EVENT SECURITY
Coordinate with local "Security Agencies"
"You don't want to take their jobs"

We need extra money for?  Does an upcoming event need security?  First of all, if you are going to apply for security at an event, a parade, traffic control, etc., you must first get the consent of your local Security Agencies.  You do not want to take their jobs away from them.  It would only cause bad feelings and defeat your purpose.  If they are not going to offer their services to an event, you are in the clear to offer yours.  Explaining to them why you are doing this and why you are asking for their approval usually gets you what you want.

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ADVERTISING
"You now have the tools to get that item you need.  Whether it is duty gear, body armor, weapons, or peace of mind insurance." 

Go to your local newspaper editor and tell him/her what you are planning and for what you need the funds.  Nine chances out of ten, he/she will write the article for you and give you some free publicity.  The same goes with the grocery store.  Let them know in plenty of time and suggest that they give you space in their weekly flyer.  EXAMPLE:  The Fresh and Green Produce Market donated the potatoes you will be eating at the Reserve/Auxiliary Dinner on July 3rd at the City Park or at the Sour Dough Bakery who donated the Rolls, etc.  Mention them in your newspaper ad.

You have probably thought about different fundrasiers yourself, but are not certain how to proceed.  Use the same tactics as mentioned above and it will work for you.  You now have the tools to get that item you need.  Whether it is duty gear, body armor, weapons, or peace of mind insurance.  Don't wait; start planning your fundraiser now.  Keep NRLO informed about your successes.

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