Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2018

This proclamation designates May 15, 2018 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 13-19, 2018 as Police Week, calling on Americans to observe with ceremonies and requesting flags be flown at half-staff. It includes non-binding statements about administration priorities for law enforcement resources, the National Blue Alert Network, and mental health support, but contains no substantive policy directives or mandates.

Federal Register Open PDF 83 FR 23203

Impact dates

May 19, 2018
Police Week ends
May 15, 2018
Peace Officers Memorial Day; White House lit in blue; flags at half-staff
May 13, 2018
Police Week begins

Key directives

Proclaim May 15, 2018 as Peace Officers Memorial Day
Proclaim May 13-19, 2018 as Police Week
White House to be lit in blue on May 15, 2018
Call on Governors and Territorial officials to direct flags at half-staff on May 15, 2018
Encourage Americans to display flags at half-staff on May 15, 2018

Timeline

Immediate

White House to be lit in blue on May 15, 2018
flags requested at half-staff on May 15, 2018

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

References to administration priorities (hiring, active shooter training, school safety, Blue Alert Network) are descriptive of past or ongoing efforts, not new binding directives
Flag half-staff request to governors is non-binding 'call upon' language
Mental health law cited (Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017) was already enacted; no new action required