SMYRNA, TN - A big shout-out to the alert colleague who noticed a letter asking for donations to the “National Police Association” – which, surprise, has absolutely no connection to the Smyrna Police Department (SPD) or the Smyrna Town Council. In fact, both would like to make it very clear that this donation request is NOT from them.

The letter talks about quality of life and cleaning up the community, while highlighting odd ideas, thoughts and situations that have not occurred in Smyrna. One paragraph says, “...in cities where politicians have sided with criminals instead of law enforcement, police are often pelted with rocks and bricks, and spit on and taunted by out-of-control mobs when they try to investigate a crime or stop someone from vandalizing or looting a business or urinating on the street.”

The letter itself has an address at the bottom that shows it came from Stafford, Texas, which happens to be 877 miles away from Smyrna. Not that it matters for a police supporting program, but the address further highlights the distant thoughts relayed in the letter, but also the physical location of the association. 

So, if you’re thinking about mailing off a check to this group, you might want to hold onto your wallet. The SPD and the Smyrna Town Council didn’t ask for your cash, and they’re not about to start.