[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 91 (Thursday, May 13, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 26345-26346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10306]



[[Page 26343]]

Vol. 86

Thursday,

No. 91

May 13, 2021

Part V





The President





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Proclamation 10208--Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2021
 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 86 , No. 91 / Thursday, May 13, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

 ___________________________________________________________________

 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 26345]]

                Proclamation 10208 of May 7, 2021

                
Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Every day, we ask a great deal of the men and women of 
                our Nation's law enforcement agencies; from ensuring 
                public safety, to serving as front-line workers, to 
                responding to incidents involving domestic violence, 
                substance use disorders, mental health challenges, and 
                homelessness, often with limited resources. Every 
                morning, our Nation's law enforcement officers pin on a 
                badge and go to work, not knowing what the day will 
                bring, and hoping to come home safely. This year, even 
                as the COVID-19 pandemic took a physical, mental, and 
                emotional toll, our officers, deputies, and troopers 
                demonstrated courage and dedication in continuing to 
                support our communities. As we recognize Peace Officers 
                Memorial Day and Police Week, we honor those who lost 
                their lives in the line of duty, and thank them on 
                behalf of this grateful Nation for their service.

                The economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic has strained 
                State, local, and Tribal budgets--forcing many 
                communities to stretch their funding, consider layoffs, 
                and reduce public services. My Administration will 
                support our Nation's law enforcement agencies and 
                officers and work to ensure they have the resources and 
                research tools they need to do their jobs successfully 
                and the funding necessary to enhance officer safety and 
                wellness, including improving access to mental health 
                services. We will also continue to bolster initiatives 
                that protect our law enforcement officers' physical 
                safety--including those that provide for bulletproof 
                vests and active shooter training.

                This year, we also recognize that in many of our 
                communities, especially Black and brown communities, 
                there is a deep sense of distrust towards law 
                enforcement; a distrust that has been exacerbated by 
                the recent deaths of several Black and brown people at 
                the hands of law enforcement. These deaths have 
                resulted in a profound fear, trauma, pain, and 
                exhaustion for many Black and brown Americans, and the 
                resulting breakdown in trust between law enforcement 
                and the communities they have sworn to protect and 
                serve ultimately makes officers' jobs harder and more 
                dangerous as well. In order to rebuild that trust, our 
                State, local, and Federal Government and law 
                enforcement agencies must protect constitutional 
                rights, ensure accountability for misconduct, and 
                embrace policing that reflects community values and 
                ensures community safety. These approaches benefit 
                those who wear the badge and those who count on their 
                protection.

                We must also stop tasking law enforcement with problems 
                that are far beyond their jurisdictions. From providing 
                emergency health care to resolving school discipline 
                issues, our communities rely on the police to perform 
                services that often should be the duty of other 
                institutions. We then accuse the police of failure when 
                responsibility lies with public policy choices they did 
                not make. Supporting our law enforcement officers 
                requires that we invest in underfunded public systems 
                that provide health care, counseling, housing, 
                education, and other social services.

                There are many ways we can demonstrate appreciation for 
                our law enforcement heroes. We recognize acts of 
                bravery through the Public Safety Officer Medal of 
                Valor and the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of 
                Bravery.

[[Page 26346]]

                We must also acknowledge the challenge and value of 
                their service through the Law Enforcement Mental Health 
                and Wellness Act of 2017 and the Supporting and 
                Treating Officers in Crisis Act of 2019. Should tragedy 
                strike, Public Safety Officers' benefits must be 
                available for the families of officers who lose their 
                lives or are catastrophically injured in the line of 
                duty.

                This country asks much of our Federal, State, Tribal, 
                and local police officers and deputies, and it is our 
                solemn responsibility to ensure that those who protect 
                and serve have the training, resources, and support 
                they need to do their jobs well. My Administration will 
                do everything we can to support the men and women who 
                so courageously protect us.

                By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, as 
                amended (76 Stat. 676), and by Public Law 103-322, as 
                amended (36 U.S.C. 136-137), the President has been 
                authorized and requested to designate May 15 of each 
                year as ``Peace Officers Memorial Day'' and the week in 
                which it falls as ``Police Week.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 
                15, 2021, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 9 
                through May 15, 2021, as Police Week. I call upon all 
                Americans to observe these events with appropriate 
                ceremonies and activities. I further encourage all 
                Americans to display the flag from their homes and 
                businesses on that day.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-10306
Filed 5-12-21; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P