Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 2026
funSaturday, January 9, 2027
116 days from today · next occurrence
About Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, observed every year on January 9 in the United States, gives communities a designated moment to thank the officers, deputies, and dispatchers who handle emergencies most people hope never to dial. Launched in 2015 by a coalition of law enforcement organizations, the day encourages both gratitude and honest, constructive conversation about policing.
The timing is deliberate. Early January follows a holiday season when stress, traffic, and family tensions can strain communities and the people who respond to their 911 calls. Supporters say a simple thank-you can carry an officer through a difficult shift.
Appreciation does not require ignoring hard questions about accountability and reform. Many departments use the day for open houses, ride-alongs, and town halls where residents can ask anything. Whether you thank a specific officer, support a fallen-officer memorial, or simply learn how your local department works, the goal is a stronger relationship between police and the public they serve.
When is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day?
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | January 9, 2026 | Friday |
| 2027 | January 9, 2027 | Saturday |
| 2028 | January 9, 2028 | Sunday |
| 2029 | January 9, 2029 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | January 9, 2030 | Wednesday |
History of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
The observance began in 2015, a year marked by intense national debate over policing. Concerns of Police Survivors, the Fraternal Order of Police, and more than a dozen partner organizations joined together to create a day of support that acknowledged officers' work while leaving room for community dialogue. January 9 was chosen for its place early in the new year, when departments face some of their busiest call volumes. Since then, the day has grown to include thousands of departments, radio stations that play thank-you messages, schools that write cards, and businesses that offer officers free coffee. Critics and supporters alike note that genuine appreciation and scrutiny of policing can coexist, and many departments now pair the day with transparency efforts.
How to Celebrate Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
- Thank an officer, deputy, or dispatcher in person or with a note to your local department.
- Bring coffee or snacks to a station, or support a business that is offering officer discounts.
- Attend a community open house or citizen academy to learn how your department operates.
- Wear blue or share a message of appreciation online with the day's hashtag.
- Support a nonprofit that helps families of fallen or injured officers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day?
- Law Enforcement Appreciation Day takes place every year on January 9 in the United States, early in the new year when departments handle heavy call volumes.
- Is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day a public holiday?
- No. It is an awareness day, not a public holiday. Government offices, schools, and banks remain open, and the observance is expressed through gratitude rather than a day off.
- How do people celebrate Law Enforcement Appreciation Day?
- People celebrate by thanking officers, sending cards to stations, attending department open houses, wearing blue, and supporting charities that aid injured officers and their families.
- Who started Law Enforcement Appreciation Day?
- A coalition of law enforcement groups, including Concerns of Police Survivors and the Fraternal Order of Police, launched it in 2015.