What the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association Does — and What It Never Does (including phone solicitation policy)

The Michigan Sheriffs' Association (MSA) has been around for over 146 years, providing education, training, and programs for Michigan communities, sheriffs, and their staff. Think of MSA as program-focused and public-safety focused. It's not a place that manages individual jail cases. MSA lists several "current issues" it works on, including Safe Schools, Teenage Driver Safety, and Mental Health. If you see MSA mentioned in connection with a community program or public-safety initiative, that tracks. Education, training, and broader support work touching law enforcement and community safety is their lane.

MSA is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation in the State of Michigan. That nonprofit status matters because it comes with strict rules about political activity. MSA states that it does not endorse political candidates, pointing to IRS rules and regulations tied to its nonprofit status. If you see messaging suggesting the association is officially backing a candidate, that doesn't match what MSA says it does.

• ✓ Do not give your card number, banking info, Social Security number, or any payment details to an unsolicited caller.
• ✓ Write down what you can (caller name, the number they called from, what they asked for, and any “reference” they provided).
• ✓ Verify directly with the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association using the office phone number: (517) 485-3135.
• ✓ If you were given a mailing address or paperwork, compare it to MSA’s listed address: 620 S Capitol Ave Suite 320A, Lansing, MI 48933.
• ✓ If you think it was a scam attempt, report it to the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association and to the appropriate authorities.

Scammers sometimes target families because they know you're busy, stressed, and trying to do the right thing. The clearest line MSA draws is simple: it never solicits donations by telephone. MSA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. So when someone pressures you on the phone for money "right now" using MSA's name, that urgency and method don't line up with how the association says it handles donations.

1. Verify by calling MSA directly - Use the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association office phone number, (517) 485-3135, rather than calling back a number from a voicemail or text.
2. Verify any mailing details - If something claims to be from MSA, check that it matches the association’s listed address: 620 S Capitol Ave Suite 320A, Lansing, MI 48933.
3. Confirm local sheriff contacts through MSA’s county resource - If the request involves a specific county or sheriff’s office, use MSA’s online “Find Your Local Sheriff” resource to locate the sheriff for that county and get contact information.

If your question is local and time-sensitive (like how to reach your county sheriff's office), start at the county level. MSA provides an online resource to locate the sheriff for your county and get contact information. That's the fastest route to the right local office. If your question is about the Michigan Sheriffs' Association itself, its programs, education and training work, or general association information, contact MSA at its listed office address: 620 S Capitol Ave Suite 320A, Lansing, MI 48933.