I have the honor of serving you as an assistant chief overseeing the Professional Development Command. My duties and responsibilities are numerous and varied. Of my many duties, the two that pay the most immediate and tangible dividends are serving as the HPD liaison to the Houston Police Foundation and HPD Chairman of the Combined Municipal Campaign. If you believe in the old saying that there is strength in numbers, please read what I have to say.
First, let me tell you about the Houston Police Foundation (HPF). Established in 2006, the Houston Police Foundation has purchased over $6 million in equipment and training for the men and women of HPD. The Chairman of the Houston Police Foundation, Tilman Fertitta, Secretary/Treasurer Bill Nelson and Executive Director Charlene Floyd all work tirelessly to maintain low operating costs and maximize efficiency of operations. The results of their work are that the maximum amount of money can be used for purchasing equipment and training while using the minimum amount for expenses.
As you might be aware, 94 percent of the HPD budget is dedicated to salary and benefits. That leaves only six percent to buy equipment. And when you are talking about buying cars, radios, ammunition, computers, etc., that six percent is gone pretty fast! The Houston Police Foundation is successful because of the private donations of very generous Houstonians and Houston based corporations.
Annual fundraisers include the Police Week Heroes Luncheon, Haliburton Golf Fundraiser, Badges and Bases 10K/5K, Young Professionals Cocktail Fundraiser, Run for a Reason in conjunction with the Houston Marathon, the True Blue Clay Shoot and, of course, the True Blue Gala hosted at the home of Mr. Tilman Fertitta.
What has the HPF purchased, you might ask? The answers:
- Tactical Medical Kits (SABA)
- Mobile AFIS
- Mapping systems for our helicopter fleet
- Carbine/shotgun racks for our patrol vehicles
- Ammunition for carbine classes
- A state of the art targeting system for the indoor range
- Heavy body armor
- Carbines, shotguns and other weapons
- Laser scanners for accident and homicide scenes
- Full sponsorship of patrol K9’s and Mounted Patrol
For more information, please visit the Houston Police Foundation at www.supporthpd.org
As you might have guessed by now, the Houston Police Foundation is a CMC charity. As Liaison to the Houston Police Foundation and Chairman of the Combined Municipal Campaign, I am asking all HPD employees to join me and consider donating to the Houston Police Foundation through the Combined Municipal Campaign.
If 50 percent of classified employees commit to donating just $20 a paycheck to the Foundation through the CMC, $1.2 million can be raised. If we match HFD’s 100 percent participation rate and donate just $21 a paycheck, $2.5 million can be raised in one year to help fund the Tactical Village to match Mr. Fertitta’s personal donation!
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