Boston Cop charity woo$ biz for powow

The Boston Herald reports:

A Boston charity dedicated to community policing is putting the arm on area businesses to pay for a lavish weeklong convention of police chiefs hosted by Hub top cop Kathleen O’Toole, the Herald has learned.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference - scheduled to flood Boston with 15,000 law enforcement professionals in October - is raising eyebrows in police circles because corporate sponsors have been asked to pony up exorbitant donations to pay for it.
The solicitations sent to 200 Bay State businesses offer sponsorship packages ranging from $100,000 for “title sponsors” to $10,000 for “bronze sponsorships.”
Title sponsors are given tickets to an intimate dinner with O’Toole and 60 other top cops from around the country at the Langham Hotel. Another $100,000 package offers an “elaborate event” at the Hampshire House with “O’Toole and members of her command staff,” during which guests will “take with them a gift assortment of ‘Cheers’ souvenirs.”
“It’s not corrupt, but it’s tacky. It gives the appearance of selling influence with police commanders,” said a high-ranking New York police official who requested anonymity. “The events smell of corporate CEOs buying face time with Boston police officials.”

Having a monopoly is sure is great.