Detectives to go bald?

This morning's article about "Detectives to go bald for cop's sick daughter" in the Northwest Herald caught my attention, because a female deputy of the McHenry County Sheriff's Department has offered to shave her head to raise money for the sick 8-year-old daughter of a Lake in the Hills police officer.

I don't question the personal willingness of Sheriff's Department Detective Jennifer Garafol, but I do question the wisdom of such a choice and raise the question about whether it is appropriate for a peace officer in Illinois to shave her head.

Personally, I object to shaved heads of any police officer. To me the appearance smacks of being a bully, and departments should adopt policies that direct officers not to shave their heads to the scalp. Short hair? Okay. Clean-cut, professional appearance? Yes.

The article went on to mention that "donations" can be sent by check made payable to associations affiliated with officers/deputies of either the Lake in the Hills Police Department or the McHenry County Sheriff's Department.

The public generally associates "donations" as being tax-deductible, and anyone who expects to take a tax deduction for his "donation" would be well-advised to check first with his accountant or a knowledgeable tax lawyer. These organizations may be not-for-profit (and are so listed with the Illinois Secretary of State), but they may not be "tax-exempt" under the Internal Revenue Code, which is what allows your donation to be tax-deductible.

Whether either association can legally distribute funds for an individual is highly questionable. Their charters (papers of incorporation) probably restrict use of funds to general purposes. Do they risk their not-for-profit status by collecting funds for and then distributing funds to an individual?

A good attitude is that you are just giving your money for the 8-year-old girl with the rare form of cancer. So give, and give generously. Don't expect or attempt to take any tax deduction.

By the way, don't try to look up "McHenry County Sheriff's Department Police Benevolent & Protective Association Lodge No. 192" on the Secretary of State's website for not-for-profit organizations. You won't find it.

You will find it under Police Benevolent & Protective Association of Illinois McHenry County Sheriff's Lodge #192. Kinda makes you wonder who dreamed up the format for its name, because a search for the name in State records first comes up dry, when you try to associate it with the McHenry County Sheriff's Department deputies.