Sen. Diamond introduces legislation allowing police to raise funds for their communities

AUGUSTA — Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, has introduced legislation that would allow law enforcement officers to collect donations for families of officers killed in the line of duty, to contribute to medical bills, and for other times of distress involving the police and their families. The bill received a public hearing today before the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.

The bill, LD 588, “An Act To Allow Law Enforcement Agencies and Associations To Engage Directly in Fund-raising under Certain Circumstances,” reverses current law stating that uniformed police officers are not allowed to raise funds. Sen. Diamond’s bill comes in response to many officers who have expressed frustration at not being able to help their colleagues and their families.

“Police officers are hard-wired to serve the public whether they are on duty or not,” said Sen. Diamond. “There’s no reason our laws can’t be more flexible and allow these good people to go out and raise money for their fellow officers and their families when they are in need.”

Also testifying in favor of the bill was Paul Gaspar, Executive Director of the Maine Association of Police, who pointed out the benefits of directly engaging with the community instead of using third-party methods of fundraising. Current law “requires the extremely counterintuitive method of utilizing a benefit corporation or professional solicitor, which, we believe, separates and erodes the direct contact, concern and trust with the community,” said Gaspar.

The bill will be scheduled for a work session in the coming weeks, and faces further action in the House and Senate.