National Police Week is Sunday, May 12 through Saturday, May 18, 2019. In particular, May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day, when officers who died in the line of duty are remembered and honored. It’s a somber reminder of the dangers all law enforcement officers face every day they report to work. So let’s use this opportunity to show law enforcement officers our gratitude with these National Police Week appreciation ideas!
Police Week Appreciation Ideas: Appreciation Bags
Make a big impact with many officers by creating law enforcement appreciation bags. I wrote this post two years ago, and it continues to be one of my most popular posts every month. I have some amazingly thoughtful and generous readers! And I love thinking about how many officers have received a token of appreciation because of this post.
Pack paper gift bags full of useful items for officers like hand sanitizer, snacks, candy, car air freshener, pens, mints, Gatorade, and tissues. Attach the free printable gift tag. Then hand the bags out to officers you see, or drop off a bunch of bags at your local law enforcement station.
Check out this cute idea for gift bags from CraftyADHDMama. Use black bags and add a line of blue tape (washi tape or narrow painters tape) to represent the thin blue line of law enforcement.
Police Week Appreciation Ideas: Buy an Officer’s Meal
There is probably a restaurant that’s popular with law enforcement officers in your area. They’re typically order-at-the-counter restaurants and often offer discounts for officers, so pay attention the next time you’re dining out. Every time I go to my local Luby’s (cafeteria-style home cooking), I always see at least a couple of officers.
The next time you see a law enforcement officer at a restaurant, pay for his or her meal. Or if they’ve already paid, surprise them with a dessert! And have your kids go up and give them a high-five or a card.
Police Week Appreciation Ideas: Pre-Pay for Doughnuts or Coffee
If you’re not at the doughnut or coffee shop at the same time as a law enforcement officer, consider pre-paying for a dozen doughnuts and a coffee for the next officer who comes in.
Police Week Appreciation Ideas: Say Thank You!
Most important of all – if you see a law enforcement officer, tell him or her thank you! “Thank you for protecting our community.” You might be surprised by how little they hear that – and how much it would mean.
How do you show appreciation for law enforcement?
P.S. You might also be interested in showing your appreciation to your local firefighters! Check out ideas and free printable firefighter tags here!