Welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: April 2022: National Police Week – third week of month. I don’t know about you, but I believe Police Officers should be celebrated every day of the year, so this week means a lot to me for all they did when Suzzane was hit and killed.
National Police Week – third week of month
National Police Week is celebrated on whatever week Mayth 15 falls in. Under President Kennedy’s decree to honor the men and women who risk their lives every day in the line of duty. The holiday takes place from May 15th to 21st this year. Which is also a time for police officers to honor their fallen colleagues. Making sure those surviving them are supported, as well to remember their commitment to keeping people safe. Citizens and civilians can also celebrate the holiday by showing love and gratitude to the Policemen around them. National Police Week is all about honor, gratitude, remembrance, servitude, and peer support.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
National Police Week was created in 1962; after then-president of the United States, John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726. The law designated May 15th as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and stated that the week in which the day falls should be National Police Week. Every year, the National Law Enforcement Officers organize a Memorial Service to honor Police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Law enforcement has existed for Centuries. Although its officers haven’t always been known as ‘Police.’ In Ancient China, Police were called ‘prefects.’ Old Babylonians called them ‘Paqūdu.’ In the Inca Empire, they called officials who held the roles of magistrates ‘Curaca.’ Inspectors or lower-level governors were called ‘Toqrikoq.’
The first centrally organized and uniformed Police force was created during King Louis XIV’s reign in Paris in 1667. In 17th Century Colonial America, the most important law enforcement official was the County Sheriff. In 1789, the United States Marshals Service was established, and other Federal Law Enforcement Agencies started popping up, such as the U.S. Parks Police. However, the first organized and publicly-funded professional full-time Police force wasn’t established until 1838 in Boston.
The United States Police force has developed since then to become a powerful one, with dedicated officers. The goal of National Police Week is to honor and celebrate these officers. Individuals and governments have a responsibility to honor their brave and hardworking Law Enforcement on this holiday. In October 2020, the United States approved legislation authorizing the construction of a National Law Enforcement Museum on Federal property directly across the street from the Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
- You can attend the official Memorial Service held for fallen Police Officers in Washington, D.C. If you can’t make it down to D.C., you can organize a memorial service or vigil of your own in your City. Or simply light a candle in honor of the fallen Police Officers you know.
- Police work can sometimes be a thankless job. You could take some time out during National Police Week to appreciate your favorite local Police Officer. Find out how you could help out, whether giving them a meal during a long night shift or just writing a thoughtful note to keep the Police Officer going.
- If you didn’t already know, blue is the color used to symbolize the United States Police force. During National Police Week, you can get decked in blue to show your support for the Police Officers who have devoted their lives to keeping us safe.
5 IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE U.S. POLICE FORCE
- There are over 900,000 Police Officers serving in the U.S., the highest number the Country has ever seen.
- Since 1791, over 20,000 Law Enforcement Officers in the U.S. have been killed while on duty, with their names engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
- 1930 was the deadliest year in United States Police History, with over 310 Police Officers killed in the line of duty
- The United States has almost 18,000 separate Police agencies, with each one having its internal structure and regulations.
- Did you know around 12% of the full-time Police Officers in the United States are women?
WHY NATIONAL POLICE WEEK IS IMPORTANT
- National Police Week allows us to honor the Police Officers who have lost their lives or limbs in the course of duty. This allows the Country to honor their sacrifice. Remember their good deeds. Show support for their families.
- Police Officers put themselves in dangerous situations constantly in their quest to ensure we have a safe world. The least we can do is dedicate one week out of the 52 weeks in a year to appreciate Police Officer efforts and cheer them on.
- At the heart of it, National Police Week is all about support. Police officers get to honor and mourn their lost partners and colleagues, while the Police force shows its support for the families of lost officers. Civilians get to support the Police by appreciating them.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
