Jan. 9 is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.). Be sure to take time show your appreciation for all that our law enforcement professionals do.
Some ideas for ways of thanking them are listed below.
- Wear blue in support of law enforcement.
- Send a card or letter of support to your local police department, county sheriff, tribal or state agency.
- Tell an officer “Thank You.”
- Share a story about a positive law enforcement experience on social media.
- Participate in Project Blue Light – Proudly display your blue light in support of law enforcement.
- Turn your social media channel blue.
- Fly a blue ribbon on your car antenna, mailbox, or anywhere a ribbon can be tied.
- Most importantly, if you see a police officer, thank that officer.
Most states and cities did not consider emergency services like firefighters and police officers to be necessary until much later than most would think. Until the mid-1800s, most law enforcement tasks were performed by the sheriff and a posse of volunteers and deputies.
It wasn’t until the 20th century that most cities, counties and states had formed a police or sheriff’s department. As a result, most of the country began to see the “Wild West” kind of law enforcement replaced with a tamer and more domesticated America.
Whether its civil unrest, sporting events or just helping a cat get down from a tree, law enforcement officers are a critical part of our lives.
They keep our neighborhoods safe and help ensure that you can go about your life and do what you need to do with peace of mind.
Being a police officer is about more than handing out traffic tickets. L.E.A.D. is a great time to think about the selfless work that officers do to help people, too. (Even when the officer is handing you a ticket, he or she is helping others be safe from your poor driving!)
Even though we should thank law enforcement officers more often than we do, we can use L.E.A.D. as a reminder to do so. Verbal thanks are always welcome. Or, think about picking up the tab when you see officers eating lunch at a local restaurant.
Source: https://spiritoftheholidays.org/cause-holidays/national-law-enforcement-appreciation-day/