NATIONAL
POLICE WEEK ACTIVITIES
Police Week Ceremonies
Please Join us for the 14th Annual Commemoration of National Police Week in Northeast Wisconsin
In
Green Bay:
Thursday, May 17, 2006; 7 pm, at the Green Bay Police Department,
307 South Adams St., Green Bay, WI
For
more information call 920-499-0048
In Washington, DC (go to www.nationalcops.org or www.nleomf.com for more information).
History of Police Week
In 1963, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and the week surrounding it as National Police Week. Here are some fast facts and information about the week derived from National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial in Washington, DC.
-
There are approximately 740,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving in the United States, which is the highest figure ever. About 12 percent of those officers are female.
- A total of 1,647 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the last 10 years, an average of one death every 53 hours or 165 per year. There were 230 police deaths in 2001, which represents a 49 percent increase from the 154 officers who died in 2000.
- In 2002, 148 officers died in the line of duty; three were from Wisconsin.
- On average, more than 60,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted each year, resulting in some 19,000 injuries.
- The deadliest year in law enforcement history was 1974 when 271 officers were killed. The deadliest decade was the 1970s when a total of 2,231 officers died, or 223 each year. That figure dropped dramatically in the 1990s to 156 per year.
- The deadliest day in law enforcement history was September 11, 2001, when 72 officers were killed while responding to the terrorist attacks on America.
- There are 853 federal officers on the Memorial, as well as 402 correctional officers and 43 military law enforcement officers. There are 173 female officers listed on the Memorial, only nine of whom were killed prior to 1970.
Please
consider commemorating the day or week through some of these activities.
- One
of the greatest ways to honor those who have died is to respect those
who are working. Respect
the law, the people who enforce it, and teach young people to do the
same.
- Lower
your flag on May 15 according to federal legislation.
- Fly
a blue ribbon (COPS—Concerns of Police Survivors) from your
antennae.
- Attend ceremonies commemorating the week.
