National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day:

The National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is celebrated on January 9 every year. It was formerly observed as Police Day and a public holiday us being announced to celebrate the national anniversary of police forces.

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Related: Other National Days Celebrated on January 9th:

National Static Electricity Day

National Apricot Day

Why National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day?

Earlier times, police officers have existed since civilization began and had been protecting the United Nations since its formation. During Colonial America, police were very informal, funded privately, and based only to obtain profit. The Nightwatchers were commonly being relied on by the people of the town.

The United States adopted the system of Anglo-Saxon law from England, the sheriffs, constables, watchmen, social obligations, and stipendiary justice. With modernization, rural and industrialization development increased, leading to increased riots and crimes.

Later, Night-Watch officers were supervised under the constables. The police reputation was so tarnished that they would not wear police badges, and they were categorized as criminals or community thugs.

The watch system included the volunteers whose main task was to inform about the impending danger, although it was not effective crime control. The watchmen would drink and sleep during the duty, some volunteers would escape from military services, and some were given punishments. With the development, the community size increased the night-watch system became completely useless.

The modern police are supported publicly and by bureaucrats. The police officers became full-time employees, from community night-watchers, employment was continuous. The departments had fixed rules for all the police officers, and they were accountable to the central government.

This day is celebrated in honor of all the law enforcement officers for their dedicated services towards the community and also as a token of appreciation for all the sacrifices and risks.

How Can We Celebrate National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day:

• We can show our appreciation to active members of the police at any time of the year by writing letters, mailing packages, or simply saying “Thank you!”.
• Share a story with your peer groups about the law enforcement experience. You can also share them on social media #NationalLawEnforcementAppreciationDay #PoliceSupport #LoveYourLocalHeros.
• We can consider hosting lunch for retired police officers in their honour and form comradeship among the teams and learn more about their times as police officers.
• If you know a police officer from your family, friends, or relatives, write them the postcard or an email thanking them for their services. You can ask about their time, where they served, their posting, and what kind of tasks they were supposed to do while serving the nation.
• Listen to the police officer telling the stories about their experiences. Filming, recording, or writing down these stories makes a lasting legacy for our officers and us.

Interesting facts about National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day:

• There are more than 900,000 law enforcement officers in the police department of the United States sworn to serve the nation. Among them, 12% are females.
• The United States Congress created the first national police on September 24, 1789. President George Washington appointed thirteen United States Marshal.
• There were 58,886 assaults and reported 18,000 injuries against law enforcement officers in the year 2018.
• New York City has the greatest number of officers in the line of duty, with 700 deaths. Texas had faced the loss of 1600 officers and the fewest deaths in Vermont that is 23.

History of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day:

In 1704, the slave patrol that is slaved patrollers of African descent were hired to maintain the law and discipline in the colonies of California. The slave patrols were formed to organize terror among the revolution of slaves. The military was the primary law enforcement during the time of the Civil War, but while reconstruction, local sheriffs played an important role in enforcing segregation and the right to vote for the slaves who were freed.

In the year 1838, Boston became the largest commercial shipping centre, so the businessmen started hiring people to protect and safeguard their property. In the South, police officers were hired for safeguarding and to maintain the slavery system by the merchants.

By the 1880s, the major cities of the United States had police forces who served and protected the nation from criminals and people who dominated the cities.

In 1929, President Hoover assigned the Wickersham Commission to examine the effectiveness of law enforcement in the whole nation. The idea of a car cop was also developed to professionalize the police.

The first police department was established in the year 1844 (recognized in 1845) in the New-York City, followed by New Orleans and Ohio in the year 1852, Boston and Philadelphia in the year 1854, Chicago and Milwaukee in the year 1855, and Baltimore and Newark in 1857.

The American police were having quasi-military that is aspects of certain military hierarchical rank structure and accordingly uniforms were assigned. The main task was to prevent crime and provide a wide array of other public services. The police power in the United States in a specific area gave benefits to the government and local people, so every city started its police department. All the established police department used the London Metropolitan Police as their model for the basic structure.