Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2024

This proclamation designates May 15, 2024 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12-18, 2024 as Police Week, calling on Americans to observe these events with ceremonies and on governors and officials to fly flags at half-staff. The text largely recounts the Biden Administration's prior public safety investments and gun violence prevention efforts without creating new policy obligations.

Federal Register Open PDF 89 FR 42333

Impact dates

May 18, 2024
Police Week ends
May 15, 2024
Peace Officers Memorial Day; flags at half-staff
May 12, 2024
Police Week begins

Key directives

Proclaim May 15, 2024 as Peace Officers Memorial Day
Proclaim May 12 through May 18, 2024 as Police Week
Call upon Governors and Territories to direct flags flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day
Encourage Americans to display flag at half-staff from homes and businesses on that day

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Peace Officers Memorial Day designated May 15, 2024
Police Week designated May 12-18, 2024
Call for flags at half-staff on May 15, 2024

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

Narrative frames policing challenges through partisan policy lens (American Rescue Plan funding, gun control agenda) despite ceremonial form
Flag half-staff directive to governors is hortatory ('call on') rather than binding; compliance uncertain
Mentions of 'weapons of war,' assault weapon ban, and ATF actions insert contentious policy references into commemorative text