7 Powerful Ways to Honor Cops This National Police Week
Start planning now
Given that National Police Week doesn’t begin for another six weeks, this post probably seems a bit premature. The ideas I’ll be sharing take time to implement, and I wanted you to have plenty of time to prepare.
If you already thank cops for their service -whether by sending cards, preparing care packages, or placing We support our police yard signs on your lawn- you’re amazing. And I encourage you to keep up the good work! If, however, you’re looking to do something extra special this year to honor the men and women of law enforcement, I have you covered.
These are not some random ideas I’m tossing out in hopes that one will stick. We’ve actually implemented these. In fact, they’re some of the most powerful ways I know of to honor police officers.
National Police week runs May 11th through the 16th this year. To learn more about this important week, visit the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Fund website.
1. Host a Police Appreciation Event
Aside from giving cops a much-needed morale boost, appreciation parties provide an opportunity for them to interact with the community in an informal, festive environment.
These events require a lot planning (I started planning in January for May events) but seeing cops smile contagiously makes the effort well worth it.
If you don’t have time to plan a large-scale event that aligns with National Police Week, consider throwing one later this summer. Use National Police Week as an opportunity to send out Save the Date invitations so cops have something to look forward to.
Ideas for throwing your own police appreciation event
2. Urge Your Federal Representative to Save Police Officer Lives
Police officers are being slaughtered on American streets. In 2021 alone, there was a 115% increase in ambushes over the previous year. It’s a trend that has overflowed into 2022.
You and I can help put an end to police ambushes by urging members of Congress to support the Protect & Serve Act. If passed, it would make it a federal offense (punishable up to 10 years in prison or a term of life if the officer dies as a result of the attack) to purposefully target a police officer.
Urge your federal congressperson to co-sponsor the bill, or at the least, to support it when it’s up for a vote. If they are a co-sponsor, thank them.
About the Protect & Serve Act and how to communicate with your Congressperson
3. Work to Pass a State Law that Benefits the Families of Fallen Officers
In April of 2018, we stood behind (then) Governor Scott Walker as he signed AB 381 into law. Now, every time someone purchases a $25 Wisconsin law enforcement plate through the state’s Department of Transportation, the money goes into a fund administered by the WLEM, and ultimately benefits the families of officers killed in the line of duty.
This initiative takes time to complete (it took us two years from start to finish) and requires you to put in work - from finding legislators willing to draft a bill, attending and speaking at hearings, working with the bill’s sponsors, and promoting it.
What you can do now in anticipation of National Police Week is to start the process.
Step-by-step instructions for creating a law enforcement license plate program in your state
4. Donate to Worthy Police Charities
Here are a few of my recommendations. Important note! This list is by no means exhaustive; there are at least a couple dozen organizations doing good work to support police officers, as well as retired K9s.
Organizations that support your local K9 and mounted horse patrol
I know you’re smart enough to know this, but I feel obligated to say it anyway: Vet any organization you plan to support. If you’re not familiar with an organization’s reputation, check them out via donor rating groups like Charity Navigator and GuideStar.
5. Get Official Police Proclamations
Contact your mayor or a city council member you trust and request a mayoral proclamation honoring your city’s police department.
Once you receive the official document, consider presenting it (or a professional-looking copy) to your police department’s chief that they can then display and share with their officers.
You might also consider asking your governor to sign a proclamation for all police in your state.
6. Write a Letter to the Editor
Penning a thoughtful piece for your favorite newspaper is more powerful than you may think. I don’t know about you, but I usually pay more attention to thoughtful letters over random anonymous comments on social media.
You can write about the significance of National Police Week, about the important roles police officers play in our communities, or about the true meaning of the blue line.
For additional ideas: 3 police opinion pieces to pen for your local newspaper
7. Help Vet Political Candidates
This is not a political blog and I firmly believe that the welfare of our nation takes priority over any party. The hard fact, however, is that current policies in jurisdictions across the country are failing both police and civilians.
We have an opportunity to implement real change at the legislative level after the November elections.
I’m in the midst of creating questionnaires to submit to candidates running in a variety of races in my state at both the state and federal level. Please keep your eyes peeled for an email with updates on this important project and how you can participate.
My thoughts on the upcoming mid-term election and how it applies to law enforcement
You can honor police officers every day by speaking up for them when and where it counts. Don’t ever doubt for a moment that you alone, can’t make a difference. I’m here to tell you that you most definitely can.