Police officers play a vital role as community helpers by ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order. They also foster positive relationships within the communities they serve with public education and outreach. Their presence and active engagement promote a safer, more connected, and more resilient community. Here are a few special occasions to honor their work and offer your community a safe space to interact and build communications:
January 9
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
This is a day to thank law enforcement officers for the work they do and show your support. The page has several ideas of how to do so.
https://www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/l-e-a-df7343139
May 15
National Peace Officers Memorial Day
This day is in recognition of those law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty.
https://victimsofcrime.org/event/peace-officers-memorial-day-2/
Week of May 15
National Police Week
This week honors America's law enforcement community.
https://www.policeweek.org/
First Tuesday in August
National Night Out
This annual campaign promotes positive police-community relationships while fostering safer communities and neighborhoods.
https://natw.org/
October 2
National Coffee with a Cop Day
This day encourages communication and positive interactions between law enforcement agencies and the public.
https://coffeewithacop.com/national-cwac-day/
October 28
National First Responders Day
This day is in honor of all the unsung heroes in our communities... the first responders who keep our neighborhoods safe by putting their lives in danger.
https://thankyoufirstresponder.org/our-programs/national-first-responder-day/
Local law enforcement individuals and groups may be willing to participate in your next event. Contact your local police department through their non-emergency or general information number to explore this option. You can also call the following agencies:
Mississippi Sheriffs' Association
https://www.mssheriff.org/directory
Mississippi Highway Patrol
https://www.dps.ms.gov/highway-patrol
Mississippi Bureau of Investigation
https://www.dps.ms.gov/investigation
These ideas and resources will help supplement programs about police officers:
Coffee with a Cop
Break down barriers between community and law enforcement by sponsoring a Coffee with a Cop meet and greet.
https://coffeewithacop.com/
Police Officer Storytime
Invite a police officer to read books during storytime.
Police Officer Resource Fair
Invite police officers to lead an event that updates community members on things like bullying and/or cyberbullying prevention, active shooter events, crime reduction and safety tips around homes and apartment buildings, frauds and scams, crime reduction and prevention while dating, crime reduction and prevention on holiday, and stranger danger/child safety.
Police Officer Hat and Badge Printables
Kids will love coloring and wearing these.
https://www.first-school.ws/activities/crafts/communityhelper/policeofficer.htm
Fingerprint Fun
Learn all about fingerprints, including their different shapes and their visibility, plus do some small experiments finding them around the library. https://learning-center.homesciencetools.com/article/forensic-science-projects/
https://scienceandsteamteam.com/21-fun-forensic-science-activities-for-kids/
Police Data Initiative
Partner with your local law enforcement agencies for publishing transparent data online.
https://www.policedatainitiative.org/not-just-for-books/
Coloring Pages
Color these police officer pages.
https://mondaymandala.com/police-coloring-pages/
McGruff the Crime Dog
Gun safety, Illicit-Fentanyl, counterfeiting, and home safety educational toolkits and printables.
https://www.ncpc.org/crime-prevention-coalition-of-america/
MLC's Special Collections contain several items that can add to your activities and programs. These include:
Coding Kits
Switcheroo Coding Crew
Puppets
Finger Puppets, the Happy Helpers Kit
People, the Community Helpers Kit