American Federation Of Police And Concerned Citizens Inc

AFP and CC does important work. I'm particularly impressed with the way they follow up with family members (especially the children) of police officers killed in the line of duty. When the police officer passes away, there is a huge hole and AFP finds way to try to fill this. I really like the way they send Christmas and birthday presents to the children to show that they are not forgotten. Most of us only run into the police when we are stopped for driving a bit too fast or get dinged for a parking ticket. These are largely thankless jobs and the cops accept this when they sign up for the role. However, the families don't have much choice and the kids are the ones that suffer. If AFP can help let them know that other remember and recognize the sacrifice that their father (or mother) made for the rest of us, this is something important. This is why I support them and hope that others will too.

I recently joined the staff of this organization (and am the wife of a retired law enforcement officer) and I wanted to explain the sequence of events that takes place when an officer is killed in the line of duty. As soon as our organization is made aware of the loss, we cut a $1,000 emergency check that is sent to the fallen officer's agency (to be given to the family at the appropriate time). Included with the check is paperwork that will allow the family to: access funds for grief counseling (for all close family members for up to two years after the incident); access annual funding for a summer camp of choice for each child; access college scholarship funds for each child for all four years of college; fill out data on each child so that they will receive Christmas and birthday gifts every year until they turn 18; provide contact information so that we can remember spouses and parents on Fathers Day, Mothers Day, Christmas, etc. Additionally, the family is invited to our annual memorial ceremonies during Police Week, and the fallen officer is recognized with a beautiful Medal of Honor, and much more.
We have families who have been receiving support from us for decades and families who, sadly, are just getting to know us for the first time. We are a sister organization of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and we are affiliated with the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum. We have data on who we are serving in which states and we happily share such information with potential donors or anyone who wants to know more about our organization. We are working to grow our programs, expand our museum and provide even more support to our LE families and officers.
As a LEO wife myself, I wouldn't be involved with this organization if I wasn't impressed and moved by the support it provides. I am deeply grateful that our men and women in blue have agencies like AFP&CC offering support and encouragement to their families.

We take for granted the freedom that our law enforcement officers protect. Without them we would live in chaos. It is only fitting that the ones that are lost are honored and remembered and that their families are given support and appreciation for the loss that they suffered.

My best friend in high school was the son of a police officer and I saw what occurred at a more personal level. Cops are inevitably put into impossible positions and face very real risks. I've seen what occurs when these men (and women) are killed or injured on the job--and what happens to the family when this happens.

While we might argue about some of the problems inherent with policing in this country, these are people who put themselves at risk. When bad things happen, it is their families that usually end up suffering the most. American Federation of Police & Concerned Citizens is there to help out. They do it quickly and without a lot of fanfare, but seem to do it quite well. When I was in the area a while back, I stopped by and saw staff and volunteers wrapping presents for the children at Christmas time and giving careful thought to what might be appropriate for a given child.

I was impressed by what they are accomplishing. They are not very visible, but do good things.

John W

This is an amazing group. I have seen the tremendous work they do on behalf of officers and their family members first-hand. I highly recommend them.

Doing great work for police families. Really impressed with the help they provide and how it especially supports the children of fallen officers!

Actually, as someone who works closely with the organization, I need to take exception to the negative review below. First of all, the numbers he quotes are completely wrong. Secondly, the organization (which has been in existence for 40 years) does a great deal of direct mail -- including educational materials regarding public safety, thousands of cards and gifts to our police families, magazines, family updates and, yes, mail solicitations. With direct mail being designated as "fundraising" it gives the impression that everything mailed out is a plea for money. Not so, not by a long shot. They are exploring new digital venues for fundraising and other communications but the bottom line is that many of their constituents still prefer to receive printed matter. They serve their constituents first. But they encourage inquiries about the services they provide and they especially encourage individuals to contact them if they know of a police family in need. That's what they do -- that's why they have been around for 40 years.

Let me see, one million for the program versus 3.3 million for fund-raising expenses. Gee, that's a tough one! Someone is making out like a bandit.