Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2022

This proclamation designates May 15, 2022 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 15-21, 2022 as Police Week, calling on Americans to honor fallen law enforcement officers and encouraging flags to be flown at half-staff. The text includes policy advocacy for police funding, community policing, gun violence prevention, and officer mental health support, but contains no binding directives beyond the ceremonial designation and flag display encouragement.

Federal Register Open PDF 87 FR 30389

Impact dates

May 21, 2022
Police Week designation ends
May 15, 2022
Peace Officers Memorial Day designation takes effect; flags encouraged at half-staff

Key directives

Proclaim May 15, 2022 as Peace Officers Memorial Day
Proclaim May 15 through May 21, 2022 as Police Week
Call upon Governors and appropriate officials to direct flags be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day
Encourage Americans to display flags at half-staff from homes and businesses

Who is ordered

Governors of the United States and its Territories

Timeline

Immediate

Ceremonial designation of May 15, 2022 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 15-21, 2022 as Police Week takes effect

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

Proclamation mixes ceremonial designation with partisan policy messaging on police funding and gun control that may generate political friction
Text references 'defund the police' debate, indicating awareness of polarized public discourse
Advocacy for American Rescue Plan police funding and 2023 budget proposals are not binding directives in this proclamation