WESTFIELD – Residents with an interest in supporting law enforcement officers in the city and environs may be well advised to pay close attention to the name of the organization a telephone solicitor represents when making a donation in order to be sure that their money goes where they want it to.
Westfield police officer Mark Carboneau, the president of the Westfield Police Association, reports that telephone solicitors representing the Massachusetts Police Association have been active in the city and residents may be confused by the similar sounding names.
Although the names sound similar, the two organizations have rather different purposes.
The WPA is a charitable, social and professional organization for both the supervisors and the rank and file officers of the Westfield Police Department and is known to hundreds of young athletes who have played on youth teams sponsored by the WPA. The association also supports other community organizations and integrates social and recreational activities for its members with community service.
On the other hand, the MPA (according to its website) exists “for the purpose of initiating and promoting public health, safety and welfare legislation of professional interest to all law enforcement officers in the Commonwealth.”
Residents who may be asked by a telephone solicitor to buy tickets for a comedy show in Cambridge in April of 2015 should be aware that any donations they make will help fund MPA programs and will not be used to support local organizations and teams.
