How to show appreciation to the law enforcement community. When private citizens come into contact with law enforcement, that contact is not always made under ideal circumstances. While keeping order, law enforcement personnel must write citations or take action when anyone violates the law. However, enforcing the law involves much more than simply writing tickets or making arrests. Officers and agents are on the side of the public and are often the first people men, women and children look to when they need help.
How to show appreciation to the Law Enforcement Community
Law enforcement professionals are often taken for granted. But it’s never too late to thank a police officer for his or her efforts. The following are several ways to express appreciation to local law enforcement in your community.
Wear and display blue
Many law enforcement workers are known for their blue uniforms. Blue usually represents police and other upholders of the law. Proudly display blue ribbons, blue lights or flags on homes and businesses. Wear blue shirts or law enforcement-inspired insignia to public or high-profile events as a token of appreciation for local law enforcement. Even buy a blue light for your front porch and keep it lit. Almost works like the Green Light for a Vet, but using a blue light instead. Also check out All Things Blue.
Thank an officer
When ever you see a police officer in person, offer some words of thanks. Law enforcement is often a thankless job, and many officers do not get the recognition they deserve. A few kind words of support may be all that is needed to brighten their day. I personally thank police officers when I see them. I thank them for their service to the community. Did you know Thank A Police Officer Day is in September of each year?
Pray Helps A Lot
Take the time to pray for all our police officers everywhere. Maybe when you go up to a police officer and thank them, maybe ask if you can pray over them. Pray for their protection, safety and wisdom. Maybe you can give them this Police Officers Prayer too. After all we are told to pray without ceasing. We should be praying for those who help to protect our cities, counties, community and state, etc.
Schedule a tour
Many police departments are more than willing to offer tours to youth groups, such as schools, scouting organizations, church groups and clubs. Giving children an insider look at the daily operations of a police department or other law enforcement office can be a positive moment in their lives. Children can learn at an early age how law enforcement works and what it means to be a good citizen. I know that when my daughter was in elementary school, they had “Truck Day” at school. The police officers, paramedics, firefighters, etc, all got to bring their vehicles for the kids to see.
Obey the law
One of the best ways to show respect for law enforcement officers is to obey the law. Should you be called out for an infraction, treat the officer or agent politely and comply with his or her requests. By obeying the law and compiling with what they say, we show respect for our fellow law enforcement officers. This also saves us from any type of escalation too.
Share a positive story
Use social media or your networking connections to share a story of how law enforcement helped you or did something worth noting. You see all kinds of these stories. Like police officers stopping and taking time to play basketball with children. Even officers stopping people and giving them ice cream.
Project Blue Light
Light up your porch or windows in blue light for the those men and women who died in the line of duty. Find out more about Project Blue Light!
Help out an officer
Oftentimes local businesses will provide discounted costs to officers or other law enforcement workers as a means of thanking them for their efforts. Such gestures may seem simple, but they are much appreciated. Anyone can do their part to show appreciation to the men and women who wear the uniform and keep our communities safe. Maybe if you see a police officer in the business you are at, buy them a gift card or pay for their meal. Give them a note of saying thanks for all that you do!
Buy a Meal
You can show them thanks by paying for their meal at a restaurant or fast food place or give them a gift card to use to eat on for their next meal. Or even like we do for the fire station, bring cookies and other baked goodies to the local police department.
Survival Kit
Maybe you can also give them this Survival Kit For Law Enforcement Officers with some goodies inside. Don’t forget you can also give these men and women a nice note saying thank you too!
Kindness Rock
You could even paint Kindness Rocks in honor / support for police. I painted a Back the Blue Kindness Rock. I gave it to our deacon who is a K-9 Unit for the Highway Patrol. He said he knew exactly where to hide that rock. So you could paint some and hand them to police officers to choose to keep or hide!
Donate Items to your Local Police Officer or Department
Items to donate
- Gift Cards
- Hand Sanitizer
- NEW Stuffed Animals (they use these for kids they across with)
- You can check with your local police department for specific needs.
Other Ways
Below is a list from concernsofpolicesurvivors.org
• Wear blue clothing in support of law enforcement.
• Send a card of support to your local police department or state agency.
• Share a story about a positive law enforcement experience on social media.
• Ask children in your community to write letters in support of law enforcement.
• Participate in Project Blue Light – Proudly display your blue light in support of law enforcement.
• Organize an event or a rally in support of your law enforcement officers.
• Advertise your support through local media outlets/billboards.
• Post the public service announcement supplied by C.O.P.S. to your organization’s webpage or social media pages.
• Coordinate and/or participate in a Blue Blood Drive.
What are other ways you wish to share we can show appreciation to these fine men and women?
Police, Law Enforcement Related Blog Posts
Below are some police and law enforcement blog posts. Be sure to check them ALL out! Thank you!
- Is Church Security Biblical?
- K9 Veterans Day
- National Day of Prayer for Law Enforcement Officers
- National Police Week & Peace Officers Memorial Day
- Police Lip Sync Challenge using Christian Music
- Police Officers Prayer
- Police Prayer of the Day
- Project Blue Light
- Survival Kit for Law Enforcement
- Thank A Police Officer Day
- Why law enforcement is essential for the community
CAUTION | DO NOT CROSS | CAUTION | DO NOT CROSS
Article Compliments of Metro Creative TF155183 – Some revisions and additions to this article were done by me to make it more personal too. First published August 11, 2016. Last updated or republished April 21, 2021.
About the Author
To all police officers in our country, Regardless of the horrors of these last few weeks, you are very loved and treasured by the great majority, the majority that you won’t ever know in your hometown. The reason you won’t know us is because we want to be part of the solution and not the problem. We don’t break the law. We are proud of being good citizens. If people didn’t break the law, they wouldn’t have any contact with you! We are very aware of what is going on in this country. Jesse of Watter’s world will not be… Read more »
Bettina thank you so much for your input and the comment. Yes, we must stay close to God.