Law Enforcement

In 1962, President Kennedy designated May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. National Police Week pays special recognition to officers who have fallen in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Due to challenges with COVID-19, National Police Week looks a little bit different this year. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund will host virtual events during the week of May 9–15, 2021 with a focus on officer safety and wellness.

As part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Office for Victims of Crimes recognized individuals and organizations who had performed outstanding victims’ rights services. This year, the Award for First Responders was presented to Robin Taylor of the Geauga County Sheriff’s Department in Ohio and John Guard, Chief Deputy with the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina, which underscores the vital role of law enforcement in supporting victims.

Join the National Reentry Resource Center (NRRC) and its partners for National Reentry Week on April 26–30, 2021. They will be sharing resources, including on-demand webinars, podcasts, and publications throughout the week. Each day will focus on a different topic: employment and education, behavioral health and housing, youth and family, making reentry work, and evaluation.

Join the National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC) of Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) for their webinar “Ask the Expert Session: Neurobiology of Addition – Beyond the Basics” on May 4, 2021 at 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET. This session, designed for tribes and tribal partners, will feature a “facilitated discussion and open forum with subject matter experts who will answer your practical questions regarding working with the impacts of addiction on the brain.” The organizers will collect feedback on topics to address and active participation is encouraged.

Join the Bureau of Justice Assistance, The Council of State Governments Justice Center (CSG Justice Center), and the University of Cincinnati for their conference “Taking the Call: A National Conference Exploring Innovative Community Responder Models.” The inaugural event will take place on May 20, 2021 at 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET, and the conference will take place on October 20–21, 2021 (visit CSG Justice Center’s website for more details). Registration is required for both events, which are free and open to the public.

Join the Council of State Governments Justice Center for their Judges Psychiatrist Leadership Initiative (JPLI) Leadership Summit on May 12, 2021 at 8:00–9:30 p.m. ET. The event will be “an evening celebrating judicial and psychiatric leadership to improve outcomes for people with behavioral health needs.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) launched the Body-Worn Camera (BWC) Policy and Implementation Program (PIP) in FY 2015 to assist law enforcement agencies in enhancing or implementing BWC programs. PIP’s primary goals are to improve public safety, reduce crime, and improve trust between police and the citizens they serve.

President Biden declared April as Second Chance Month in support of reentry services. Reentry Week will also take place April 26–30, 2021. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the National Reentry Resource Center (NRRC) will host virtual events and resources related to reentry during that week. Learn more.