Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Illinois

Conflict of Interst - (state) police calling asking for money

I recently moved into a new house in Illinois. Since that day, I must have received about a dozen calls from so-called ''differnet police charities'' asking me for money. The calls are made by people identifying themselves as either a state trooper, local cop, etc. Each and every time I tell them never to call back. Thinking about the issue, wouldn't there be a conflict of interest on the part of the officer? Example: I get pulled over by a state trooper that KNOWS that I didn't give them money this year and thus issues me a ticket. Or the reverse: I then get pulled over by a state trooper who KNOWS that I gave money this year and thus just gives me a verbal warning. Is there anything that can be done about this to keep these people from calling and not presenting a case for conflict of interest.


Asked on 11/01/02, 2:18 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Gass Timothy Gass Law Office

Re: Conflict of Interst - (state) police calling asking for money

My understanding from talking to the police dept.s is that they don't disseminate the info about who does or does not contribut to the rank and file of police officers. If they continue to call, contact the chief of police or the sheriff himself and ask that you receive no more calls.

Read more
Answered on 11/04/02, 12:30 pm
Zachary Bravos Law Offices of Zachary M. Bravos

Conflict of Interst - (state) police calling asking for money

The Direct Marketing Association has set up a system to help people stop annoying sales calls. If you want to reduce the amount of national advertising calls you receive at home, send your name, address, area code and telephone number to the Direct Marketing Association's Telephone Preference Service (TPS):

DMA Telephone Preference Service

P.O. Box 1559

Carmel, NY 10512

After a few months, the TPS will reduce the amount of advertising calls you receive from national marketers such as credit card and magazine subscription companies. Some local organizations and charities may not participate. Names remain part of the TPS for five years. After five years, you will need to register with the TPS again.

If you continue to receive unwanted phone calls after a few months, the Direct Marketing Association suggests that you request your name be removed from a company's list when they call. I recommend you tell them 1) not to call again; 2) remove your name and number from their call list; and 3) do not sell your name and number to others. Finally, if the police continue to call, contact the chief of police, county sheriff, or state police commander in your area, and ask to have your name pulled from their list.

With regard to your concern that you might bump into a police officer after refusing his request for a charitable donation, the risk seems small, especially when one considers that the caller was probably not a police officer.

Finally, if you believe that something unethical is going on, you can contact the Illinois Attorney General�s Consumer Fraud Bureau (312-814-4714).

Read more
Answered on 11/04/02, 1:52 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More General Civil Litigation questions and answers in Illinois