Law Enforcement Community Receives Recognition During National Police Week
This week, from May 9-May 15, 2021, is National Police Week. National Police Week, along with Peace Officers Memorial Day, which is on May 15th every year, was started by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 and honors law enforcement officers who lost their lives or were disabled in the line of duty. President Joe Biden issued a proclamation on May 7, 2021 regarding Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week 2021.
In the proclamation, President Biden said, “Every morning, our Nation’s law enforcement officers pin on a badge and go to work, not knowing what the day will bring, and hoping to come home safely.”
The proclamation sparked controversy for also discussing distrust between certain communities and law enforcement. The controversy surrounded statements in the proclamation including “This year, we also recognize that in many of our communities, especially Black and brown communities, there is a deep sense of distrust towards law enforcement; a distrust that has been exacerbated by the recent deaths of several Black and brown people at the hands of law enforcement. These deaths have resulted in a profound fear, trauma, pain, and exhaustion for many Black and brown Americans, and the resulting breakdown in trust between law enforcement and the communities they have sworn to protect and serve ultimately makes officers’ jobs harder and more dangerous as well.”
In honor of law enforcement in the United States, Attorney General Merrick Garland recognized the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement in a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release dated May 10, 2021.
Attorney General Garland said to law enforcement officers in the release, “I am constantly inspired by the extraordinary courage and dedication with which members of law enforcement act each day, putting their lives on the line to make our communities safer. To members of law enforcement and your families: we know that not a single day, nor a single week, is enough to recognize your service and sacrifice. On behalf of the entire Department of Justice, you have our unwavering support and eternal gratitude.”
During National Police Week, there is also a Roll Call of Heroes organized by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) that will honor 300 officers this year for their bravery and courage. On Thursday, May 13, 2021, at 8 pm EDT, a virtual candlelight vigil will be held for 394 fallen officers.
President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Larry Cosme, said of National Police Week, “This week we take special time to remember the fallen and appreciate those that regularly give their all every day to keep our nation safe. FLEOA is proud of our almost 30,000 members who serve dutifully to keep our nation and its streets safe.”
The National Police Week in-person public events, originally scheduled for May, have been rescheduled due to COVID-19 concerns to October 13 through October 17, 2021. An in-person candlelight vigil event is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2021. To view the schedule of virtual National Police Week events in May, please view the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund’s (NLEOMF) police week flyer.