We took a survey of Law Enforcement in Michigan to find out ways that they appreciate being - well, appreciated! Following ideas are a reflection of many of their suggestions. Every community can choose to recognize Law Enforcement during Police Week in their own unique way. The purpose of this site is simply to help get Michigan's grateful citizens in motion. Together we will send a powerful message during Police Week - and throughout the year - when we let our Officers know (and their families!) that we appreciate them. 

Have a unique idea of how you are choosing to honor Law Enforcement? TELL US! Come to our Facebook Page - your story will inspire others. 

So Many Ways

Find something that is fun, convenient, and easy to do with your lifestyle. Here is one option. We have a shopping list on the right hand side. Grab items when you go shopping and drop off to your Local Police Department. They will appreciate it!

Even the smallest gesture will mean the world to the men and women who serve behind the badge. 

Together we are Backing the Badge!

From Youth to Seniors

​Invite your social club to do something special, encourage everyone in your church or office to go the extra mile, invite your child's daycare or your mom's senior center to join you in taking a moment out of the week to do something to show your appreciation to Law Enforcement. 

SCHOOLS

There is nothing quite as powerful to Law Enforcement as notes from children. 
  • Have your students write notes or draw pictures for Officers
  • Do a project as a class to say thanks
  • Take a field trip and stop by the local Police Station to say thanks in person
  • Ask an officer to visit your class​
  • Invite the local Officers to come to school for lunch 

SENIOR CITIZENS

Senior Citizen homes would love to have a visit from a Law Enforcement Officer! Many of them have served and they have a deep appreciation for the sacrifice our men and women do. 
  • Invite Law Enforcement to stop by a Senior gathering
  • ​Encourage Seniors to write notes to local Law Enforcement officers
  • Invite retired Law Enforcement officers who may live at a Senior Facility to take part in a community gathering that celebrates Police Week

YOUR CHILDREN

Take time to talk to your children or grandchildren on the importance of Law Enforcement.
  • Stop by the station to take gift cards to a local restaurant
  • Stop the Officers when you see them in town  and say hello, and thank you!
  • Include your child on the fun of anonymously paying for an Officer's lunch or coffee
Help your children get to know the men and women in uniform. They are moms and dads - men and women with stories. They love our communities as much as we do! 

You are an Influencer. 

You are an influencer. Others look to you and will follow your lead. Truly, you set the tone - and others will follow. Grab a friend, and invite people in your community to join you. You have no idea how some small thing may make a big impact! 

YOU

  • Sign up to let us know you are with us!
  • Share news of this effort online and through email
  • Send a text message and call your friends
  • Wear attire that "Backs the Badge!"
  • Go out of your way to thank the Officers when you see them around town
  • SPEAK UP when people slam Law Enforcement. They are simply enforcing the law and doing their job.
  • Write a note of appreciation and drop it off at the Police Station, or mail it to them.
  • Write a Letter to the Editor for your local newspaper on their behalf
  • Call into your local radio station and share your gratitude for your local Law Enforcement
  • See an Officer in line at the Coffee Shop? Quietly pay for it as a little thank you!
  • Anonymously pay for their lunch at a restaurant

BUSINESSES

  • Hang a sign in your business window "We Support Law Enforcement!"
  • Give a special discount to Law Enforcement families
  • Use blue lightbulbs for your business porch light
  • Mention your appreciation in your publications or advertisements
  • Post something on social media letting your audience know you appreciate families of Law Enforcement
  • Display a blue ribbon
  • Create a friendly competition among fellow businesses to encourage others to join you
  • Distribute flyers at your shop asking others to spread the word about Police Week  

CHURCHES

  • Join our Prayer Team
  • Ask your church community to be praying for Law Enforcement
  • Find ways to do something special for the families of Law Enforcement in your community 
  • Contact your local Law Enforcement to see how they could use the support of Churches in the future? How can people of faith partner with Law Enforcement to serve the community? 
  • Honor men and women in your congregation and their families that serve in Law Enforcement 
  • Make sure you recognize their important work and that as a Church "you have their back"
  • Put an announcement in your Church Bulletin
  • Hand out flyers asking people to share information
  • Ask your Churches, and Houses of Worship to encourage parishioners to be specifically praying for Law Enforcement families in their neighborhoods
  • Create a prayer team for your local officers or for the officers in your church family. 

It's Time to Speak Up. The Silence Must End.

It is our belief that a majority of Americans appreciate Law Enforcement. But supporting them in our hearts is no longer enough: we need to take a stand, speak up, and show our support, and invite others to join us. Can you imagine being in a job where many in the media, and anti-Law Enforcement citizens are so loud in complaining about you and the job you are doing? Let's help our Law Enforcement feel safe again. When they walk through their communities they should KNOW they are surrounded by a majority - of friends. 

COMMUNITY

  • ​Share the good stories about Law Enforcement on social media
  • Honor them at public events
  • Hang signs through-out the community that your town "Backs the Badge!"
  • Display blue ribbons 
  • Use blue lightbulbs 
  • Give Officer discounts at restaurants
  • Call into your local radio station and brag on your local Law Enforcement.
  • Put up a billboard​s
  • Host a community event to let the community get to shake hands with the Officers and to say thanks in person!

MEDIA

  • Ask the members of the media to talk about the good the Law Enforcement do, on a more regular basis, but especially this week 
  • If you are a member of the media, please share stories about the good the Officers do in your community
  • Media, honor them on the radio 
  • ​Media, interview them so members of the community can get to know them 
  • Media, attend their events
  • Media, do follow up stories
  • Media, give Law Enforcement opportunity to do guest editorials in your publications 

ONLINE

  • Leave notes of encouragement on the station's social media pages 
  • Email them words of encouragement
  • Do videos sharing your appreciation of Law Enforcement and tag the Police Station
  • Encourage people on your email list to do the same 

Make Your Support Local

HOMEOWNER

  • Use a blue lightbulb on your porch (Buy on Amazon)
  • Place a sign in your front yard (create your own)
  • Place a blue ribbon around your tree by the street
  • Initiate a neighborhood celebration: invite Law Enforcement!
  • Do a postcard blitz: get everyone you know to write a note or send a card to your local Law Enforcement. Have them sign a card as they come in and out of your house and mail the cards to the Station!

VISIT LOCAL POLICE STATION

  • Take gift cards to the officers for restaurants in the community
  • Take your children by to meet the officers
  • Deliver notes, or signs of appreciation
  • Deliver or mail a letter to the station on behalf of a certain Officer and their great service to you. This will go in their file and be of great significance. 

YOUTH

  • Find a way to let your youth get involved 
  • Ask to arrange a tour of the station or of a police car
  • ​Help them understand what the role of Law Enforcement entails and why they are a vital part of our communities
  • There is nothing quite as poignant to an Officer as a note from a child so encourage your kid to even draw a picture and make an Officer's day!

If you have an idea for how to display support ... 

please email us and share your idea! We would love to consider sharing it on our website.
​There are simply SO MANY WAYS we can say thanks.
Police Week Michigan is a Citizen Project launched in 2019