Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2021

This proclamation designates May 15, 2021 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 9-15, 2021 as Police Week, calling on Americans to observe these with ceremonies and flag displays. The accompanying message expresses support for law enforcement while acknowledging distrust in Black and brown communities, advocating for police reform, mental health services, and shifting non-police responsibilities to other social services.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 26345

Impact dates

May 15, 2021
Peace Officers Memorial Day observation and flag display
May 9, 2021
Police Week begins

Key directives

Proclaim May 15, 2021 as Peace Officers Memorial Day
Proclaim May 9 through May 15, 2021 as Police Week
Call upon all Americans to observe with appropriate ceremonies and activities
Encourage Americans to display the flag from homes and businesses on May 15, 2021

Timeline

Immediate

Proclamation of May 15, 2021 as Peace Officers Memorial Day
Proclamation of May 9-15, 2021 as Police Week

Near term (90d)

Flag display encouragement for May 15, 2021

Long term

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Risks & tensions

Message attempts balance between supporting police and acknowledging racial justice concerns, which may draw criticism from both police advocates and reform activists
Policy aspirations in text (mental health funding, accountability reform) lack binding mechanisms or appropriations
Reference to 'Black and brown communities' and police misconduct is unusual for a ceremonial proclamation and may generate political attention beyond typical commemorative documents