On January 9th, 2015, partnering organizations in support of law enforcement officers nationwide will promote a National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.). In light of recent negativity directed toward law enforcement nationally, there is a need to show law enforcement officers that our citizens recognize the difficult and sometimes impossible career they have chosen, in public service to us all.
Each day 780,000 police officers across our country put a badge on and go to work knowing they may face extremely dangerous situations. On average, between 105 and 203 officers die in the line of duty each year, 50,000 officers are assaulted in the line of duty each year, 14,000 officers are injured in the line of duty each year, and over 300 officers commit suicide each year. There is no other profession in the world, except possibly the military, where you will find these kinds of statistics.
Law enforcement officers play such an integral part in our society. Without law enforcement officers, chaos would reign. Have you ever thought about what you would do if you were in trouble - a car accident, a home invasion, an assault - and you did not have someone to call for help? No matter how much abuse law enforcement takes, they continue to do their job, and do it well. They are the guardians of our way of life and they deserve our support.
On January 9th, we call our nation's citizens to action in support of law enforcement. Those citizens who appreciate law enforcement and are discouraged about the negative attention being given to law enforcement are encouraged to take time on Friday, January 9, to show their support. Our citizens can show their support in a number of ways:
Change your profile picture on social media to the jpg image provided at www.facebook.com/nationalcops
Wear blue clothing in support of law enforcement
Send a card of support to your local police department or state agency
Share a story about a positive law enforcement experience on social media
Ask children in your community to write letters in support of law enforcement
Participate in Project Blue Light - Proudly display your blue light in support of law enforcement
Organize an event or a rally in support of your law enforcement officers
Advertise your support through local media outlets/billboards
Post the public service announcement supplied by C.O.P.S. to your organization's webpage or social media pages
Most importantly, if you see a police officer, thank a police officer.
All of our partnering organizations welcome media outlets to cover this nationwide campaign in support of law enforcement. Leaders from supporting organizations will make themselves available for interviews on the morning of January 9th, 2015. For questions or an interview, contact C.O.P.S. National President, Madeline Neumann, at (609) 703-8107 or C.O.P.S. Executive Director, Dianne Bernhard, at (573) 673-8917.
National Law Enforcement Organizations that are partnering together include: Concerns of Police Survivors, The Fraternal Order of Police, The FBI National Academy Associates, The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement, Officer Down Memorial Page, Law Enforcement United, National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, International Conference of Police Chaplains, National Trooper's Coalition, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Police Wives, Wives Behind the Badge, International Union of Police Associations, New Jersey State PBA, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs' Association, Thin Line Support, Police Unity Tour, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, and the United States Air Force Security Forces.