“Understand, our police officers put their lives on the line for us every single day. They’ve got a tough job to do to maintain public safety and hold accountable those who break the law.” - Barack Obama.
January 9th celebrates the brave men and women who protect us daily.
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was created because of the 2014 shooting in Ferguson, Missouri that resulted in a violent backlash. A police officer was angry at an eighteen-year-old for walking on the road. The officer shot him, unintentionally causing a negative portrayal of law enforcement.
A year later, multiple organizations wanted to remind citizens of the goodness of law enforcement, focusing on the positive side of having police officers. They created National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, also known as L.E.A.D.
Main organizers of this holiday income the FBI National Academy Associates the Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Chief of Police, and Concerns of Police Survivors, believing law enforcement officers need to be shown that the difficult and often times dangerous job they do is recognized by the people they protect.
“Stop saying, ‘It’s what they signed up for.’ No one signs up for anything hoping to be hated, injured or killed. They sign up to make a difference.” - Unknown
So, instead of thinking about the mistakes a few police officers have made, we should focus on all the good they have done. If law enforcement did not exist, fear would be constant. The chances of you or a loved one having a terrible crime committed towards them would increase significantly. Defunding the police is defunding not only your safety, but also the safety of your loved ones.
“Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.” - Abraham Lincoln.
Kind things to do to celebrate this well-deserved holiday, many of which are not limited to this one day, is people wear blue, send cards of support to local police departments, post something positive about law enforcement, participate in Project Blue Light, advertise their support, participate in a Blue Blood Drive, thank police officers, pre-pay for something they order, take them treats, donate to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, vote in favor of police when they ask for money from taxes, speak kindly about police officers, choose to support businesses that are pro-police, and pray for law enforcement.
“Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9