Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (C.O.P.S.) is asking Americans who support and appreciate police officers express their gratitude Friday, Jan.9, which has been designated National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
As one of only a few careers in which there is a chance of not surviving a shift, law enforcement officers need to know that the community is grateful for the job they do, with its numerous risks, every day. In addition, police now face negativity along with an increased risk of danger and retaliation because of recent events.
One might ask why 780,000 police officers in the United States show up for work every day with a full understanding of the danger. The answer is that for them, it is more than a job. It’s a calling.
According to the C.O.P.S. website, between 105 and 203 officers die in the line of duty every year; 50,000 are assaulted; 14,000 are injured. More than 300 officers commit suicide every year.
A few ways to say thanks to law enforcement officers for the job they do, which are listed on the C.O.P.S. website include:
- Thank a police officer when you see one.
- Wear blue clothing.
- Send a thank you card to local police.
- Share a positive story about law enforcement on social media.
- Ask children to write letters of support.
- Display a blue light at your home in support of law enforcement.
- Organize an event in support of local officers.
- Change profile picture on social media to the .jpg image above that announces this event.
About C.O.P.S.: It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that began in 1984 with 110 individual members. Today C.O.P.S. membership exceeds 30,000 families. Members include spouses, children, parents, siblings, significant others and affected co-workers of officers killed in the line of duty according to federal government criteria. C.O.P.S. is governed by a National Board of law enforcement survivors. All programs and services are administered by the National Office in Camdenton, Missouri. C.O.P.S. has more than 50 Chapters nationwide that work with survivors at the grass-roots level. C.O.P.S. programs and services are funded by grants and donations.
C.O.P.S. programs for survivors include the National Police Survivors’ Conference held each May during National Police Week, scholarships, peer-support at the national, state and local levels, “C.O.P.S. Kids” counseling reimbursement program, the “C.O.P.S. Kids” summer camp, “C.O.P.S. Teens” Outward Bound experience for young adults, special retreats for spouses, parents, siblings, adult children, in-laws and co-workers, trial and parole support and other assistance programs.