American Police Officers Alliance 2018 Year-End Executive Director’s Report

The American Police Officers Alliance had a successful year in 2018 organizing grassroots volunteers and launching a robust outreach program, public opinion poll so that our organization can better message police issues to voters and had huge success by supporting committees that were on the front lines of local and national issues and candidates for the 2018 mid-term elections. This report outlines just some of the accomplishments and activities for 2018.

1. National Police Week

• Conducted an on the ground survey and obtained almost 250 responses. Responses showed a lack of trust in elected officials, yet a very high level of trust in our law enforcement officials.
• Added 300 new volunteers to the APOA volunteer roster.
• Attended the memorial service on the last day of National Police week featuring remarks by the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. The officers were very supportive of the President’s agenda on law enforcement.
• Saw first hand the level of closeness that is evident in the law enforcement family.
• Whitney Driver interviewed a young kid who provided at least 12 dozen donuts during the annual law enforcement ride ceremony that took place

2. Conferences and Outreach

American Police Officers Alliance attended and/or exhibited the following conferences:

• National Sheriffs’ Association Conference – June 2018- APOA spoke to law enforcement officers on the various challenges they are currently facing and what we can do to better support them. We appreciate going to these conferences since it gets us right in front of our proper audience in order to ask important questions regarding our work in assisting in supporting them in the political process.
• International Association of Chiefs of Police – October 2018 – The American Police Officers Alliance sent two representatives to the 2018 International Association of Chiefs of Police conference that will be held in Orlando, Florida. The conference will be held from October 6-9 at the Orange County Convention Center. The IACP conference is considered to be one of the largest gatherings of law enforcement officers in the entire World.

3. National Brushfire Poll

• Conducted a national brushfire survey of Americans in the Summer fo 2018
• We analyzed results of “We Ask America” national brushfire poll.
• Created 4 page overview of survey results, including results on law enforcement issues in government, crime in communities, and support and ratings of law enforcement officials.
• Press release covering information about the poll was released on September 20th.
• Launched our social media rollout of our survey results throughout September and October.
• Created and released infographics, graphs, and blog posts covering our poll results.

4. Organizational Accomplishments

• Developed a grassroots donor base of over 25,000 citizens across the U.S.
• Launching an advisory committee of citizens, advocates, and law enforcement professionals.
• Obtained over 2,500 activist e-mail addresses in hope of expanding the databases.
• New blog posts and introductory videos on the American Police Officers Alliance website.
• Released an educational campaign that revealed the current pulse of America on the topic of police officers.
• Planned grassroots outreach with various stakeholders including Fraternal Orders of Police and other allied organizations.

5. General Election Participation

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  The American Police Officers Alliance partnered with the Congressional Leadership Fund to provide boots on the ground in the Duluth, MN Region to support former Duluth Police captain Pete Stauber (R-Minnesota). Stauber was running for an open seat vacated by the retirement of Congressman Rick Nolan (D-Minnesota).

• Our volunteers knocked on nearly 1,000 doors in the final 72 hours before the November 6th election focusing on likely voters.
• In a tough mid-term election year, we were pleased that our efforts on the doors led to a five point win for Stauber.
• In a tough mid-term election year, we were pleased that our efforts on the doors led to a five point win for Stauber. We look forward to working with Congressman-elect Stauber once he assumes office.
• Provided financial assistance to the Vote No on the $10 Million Dollar Tax Hike committee. The committee opposed Nashville Amendment 1 which would have created a civilian police oversight board.
• We conducted targeted “get out to vote” phone calls to educate voters on the dangers of substituting the judgement of law enforcement professionals for civilian board members that are politically connected.

2018 was a great first year for the American Police Officers Alliance. The American Police Officers Alliance is honored to have the support of over 25,000 grassroots Americans who support our shared values of supporting elected officials who respect the sacrifices our men and women make every day to keep us safe. Our political efforts in Minnesota and Tennessee brought us both victory and opportunity for the future. Victory in former Duluth Police Captain Pete Stauber elected to Congress and opportunity by educating more of the American public on civilian police oversight boards.

Let me conclude with a statement from James Smallwood of the Andrew Jackson Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police summarizing the work of the American Police Officers Alliance: “Our lodge was engaged in a heated campaign effort against a poorly drafted charter amendment. that would negatively impact law enforcement in Nashville and APOA was quick to step in and provide assistance when we needed it the most.” We look forward to building off of this year’s success in 2019. Please feel free to contact us if we can be of any further assistance to you.

Best regards,
Dan Stuebs
Executive Director
American Police Officers Alliance.