Diane: Police agencies have to be quite resourceful under tough economic conditions. Outside funding is welcomed. Care and caution must be exercised when it comes to fundraising, however. In some jurisdictions, law enforcement is prohibited from requesting donations. It creates a quid pro quo arrangement, where the individual donating may expected something in return (leniency from a traffic ticket, for instance). In many areas, benefit organizations separate from the department conduct fundraising, and then turn the proceeds over to the department. These non-profit organizations are not linked to the agency; a safer way to go.
Consider the ethics recommended by the Association of Fundraising Professionals: http://www.afpnet.org/Ethics/EnforcementDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=4013 Do any of these fit within law enforcement?