National Law Enforcement Day, formally known as National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, is observed every year on January 9. It is a day set aside to thank police officers across the United States for the daily sacrifices they make and to encourage the public to show visible, constructive support for those who serve their communities.
When is National Law Enforcement Day?
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is a fixed observance that always falls on January 9. The date stays the same every year, making it a consistent early-January occasion for appreciation efforts by families, businesses, schools, and civic groups.
History and origin of National Law Enforcement Day
The observance was created in 2015 by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), working alongside a coalition of law enforcement organizations. Groups such as the Fraternal Order of Police, the Officer Down Memorial Page, and Law Enforcement United supported its establishment. It was launched during a period of heightened social tension and public debate surrounding policing, and its founders intended it as a dedicated time for citizens to express gratitude and solidarity with officers. The date of January 9 was chosen as an annual, recurring occasion, and the effort is often promoted under the banner “Law Enforcement Appreciation Day” with the abbreviation L.E.A.D. Since its launch, participating agencies, unions, and community groups have used the day to organize appreciation campaigns, and it has spread through social media, local governments, and businesses that display support each January.
Why National Law Enforcement Day matters
The day matters because policing is demanding, high-stakes work, and officers routinely face danger, long hours, and difficult decisions that most people never have to make. The observance gives communities a structured way to acknowledge that service and to recognize officers who are injured or killed in the line of duty, a mission closely aligned with C.O.P.S., which was founded to support the survivors and families of fallen officers. Supporters see it as an opportunity to build positive relationships between police and the public, to open lines of communication, and to remind officers that their work is valued by the communities they serve. As with any observance touching on public institutions, people mark it in ways that reflect their own communities and perspectives, and many use it as a moment to encourage respectful, constructive engagement between residents and the officers who protect them.
How to celebrate National Law Enforcement Day
Support can be as simple as a few kind words or as organized as a community event, and it can be offered respectfully in whatever way fits your community. Here are several ways people take part.
- Write and deliver thank-you notes or cards to a local police department.
- Display the color blue on social media, at home, or at a business.
- Thank an officer directly if you have the chance to do so respectfully.
- Support charities that assist officers and the families of fallen officers.
- Organize a community gesture, such as a meal or care package for a precinct.
- Teach students about the role of law enforcement in the community.
- Share a message of support online with the day’s hashtag.
Related days and observances
National Law Enforcement Day connects with other public-service observances, including National Police Week, Peace Officers Memorial Day, National First Responders Day, and National Correctional Officers Week. Together these recognize the broader community of people who respond to emergencies and keep the public safe, from police officers and correctional staff to firefighters and paramedics, each honored at different points on the calendar throughout the year.
Fun facts
The observance is often referred to by the acronym L.E.A.D., for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. It is distinct from National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day in May, which are longer-standing federally recognized commemorations. And the color blue, tied to the phrase “the thin blue line,” is the symbol most associated with showing support on this day. Concerns of Police Survivors, the group behind the observance, also organizes support programs and events for the families of officers who have died in the line of duty. Because the day is grassroots and unofficial, participation varies widely from one community to the next, ranging from quiet personal thanks to organized department-wide recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Law Enforcement Day?
It is celebrated on a fixed date, January 9, every year.
Who started National Law Enforcement Day?
Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), along with partner law enforcement organizations, created it in 2015.
Why do we celebrate National Law Enforcement Day?
To thank police officers for their daily service and sacrifice and to show public support.
How do you celebrate National Law Enforcement Day?
Write thank-you notes, display blue, thank officers directly, or support law enforcement charities.
Is National Law Enforcement Day a public holiday?
No. It is an unofficial appreciation day, not a public or federal holiday.
What is the hashtag for National Law Enforcement Day?
Common tags include #LawEnforcementAppreciationDay and #LEAD.