[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 97 (Thursday, May 19, 2022)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 30389-30390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-10883]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 97 / Thursday, May 19, 2022 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 30389]]


                Proclamation 10397 of May 13, 2022

                
Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2022

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For generations, courageous men and women of our 
                Nation's law enforcement community have dedicated their 
                lives to protecting us in big cities, small towns, and 
                suburban neighborhoods across America. Each morning, 
                police officers pin on their shield and walk out the 
                door to go to work, hoping they will come home safely. 
                Last year, a record number of law enforcement officers 
                died in the line of duty. On Peace Officers Memorial 
                Day and during Police Week, we express our gratitude 
                for these selfless public servants who put themselves 
                in harm's way to keep us safe and honor those who lost 
                their lives in the line of duty.

                As we see a rise in gun violence and other violent 
                crimes, it is critical that we fund law enforcement 
                with the resources and training they need to do their 
                jobs safely and effectively. That is why the American 
                Rescue Plan provided $350 billion that cities, States, 
                counties, and tribes can use to hire more police 
                officers and invest in proven strategies like community 
                violence intervention, youth programming, and other 
                supportive services. It is also why my proposed 2023 
                budget more than doubles funding for effective 
                community policing through the Community Oriented 
                Policing Services Hiring Program. In addition, my 
                budget increases support for the United States Marshals 
                and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and 
                Explosives, so they can apprehend fugitives and fight 
                illegal gun trafficking.

                Gun violence not only affects community members, it 
                also targets law enforcement officers. Last month at 
                the White House, surrounded by law enforcment, 
                community leaders, and families who have lost loved 
                ones to gun violence, we announced that the Department 
                of Justice is reining in the proliferation of ``ghost 
                guns''--privately-made firearms without serial numbers 
                that are increasingly showing up on our streets and 
                being used to attack law enforcement officers and 
                members of the public.

                My Administration is also committed to supporting 
                programs that protect the physical safety of our law 
                enforcement--more bulletproof vests, active shooter 
                trainings, and early warnings of threats targeting 
                officers. We must also do more to protect our officers' 
                mental health and emotional well-being. Suicide and 
                COVID-19 were among the leading causes of death for law 
                enforcement officers in 2021. Last November, I was 
                proud to sign into law three bills that extend critical 
                peer counseling and mental health resources for 
                officers, expand eligibility and benefits for first 
                responders disabled in the line of duty, and protect 
                Federal law enforcement serving abroad. Our officers 
                swear an oath to protect us, and we owe them the same 
                pledge.

                We must not abandon our streets or accept the false 
                choice between public safety and equal justice. The 
                solution is not to defund our police. It is to make our 
                streets more secure through policing that treats 
                everyone with dignity and respect. It is to provide 
                officers with the resources, tools, and training they 
                need to keep our neighborhoods safe.

                During Police Week, let us demonstrate our appreciation 
                for the unsung heroes who nobly wear the badge and put 
                their lives at risk to protect people each and every 
                day. Let us honor the brave officers whose bright

[[Page 30390]]

                futures were cut short in the line of duty. Let us come 
                together to help police be the partners and protectors 
                our communities and our Nation need for a safer, more 
                just America.

                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, 2022, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 15 
                through May 21, 2022, as Police Week. I call upon all 
                Americans to observe these events with appropriate 
                ceremonies and activities and salute our Nation's brave 
                law enforcement officers and remember their peace 
                officer brothers and sisters who have given their last 
                full measure of devotion in the line of duty. I also 
                call on the Governors of the United States and its 
                Territories, and appropriate officials of all units of 
                government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-
                staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further 
                encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-
                staff from their homes and businesses on that day.

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

[FR Doc. 2022-10883
Filed 5-18-22; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P