Gloucester Township Police to Participate in Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

The Gloucester Township Police Department will participate in the National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.), police said Thursday morning.

The day is put together by Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (C.O.P.S.) and partnering organizations in light of recent murders and protests of police officers nationally.

According to police statistics, between 105 and 203 officers die in the line of duty each year, 50,000 officers are assaulted in the line of duty each year, 14,000 officers are injured in the line of duty each year, and over 300 officers commit suicide each year, on average.

“On January 9, we call our nation’s citizens to action in support of law enforcement,” Gloucester Township Police said in a release. “Those citizens who appreciate law enforcement and are discouraged about the negative attention being given to law enforcement are encouraged take time on Friday, January 9 to show their support.” Police suggest showing support in the following ways:

• Change your profile picture on social media to the .jpg image attached to this event
• See a police officer? Thank a police officer
• Wear blue clothing in support of law enforcement
• Send a card of support to your local police department or state agency
• Share a positive story about a positive law enforcement experience on social media
• Ask children in your community write letters in support of law enforcement
• Participate in Project Blue Light. Proudly display your blue light in support of law enforcement.
• Organize an event or a rally in support of your law enforcement officers
• Advertise your support through local media outlets/billboards
• Post the public service announcement supplied by C.O.P.S. to your law enforcement’s webpage or social media pages

The Gloucester Township Police Department’s participation comes after the officers in the department showed their support for police officers killed in the line of duty in recent weeks.

They wore mourning bands over their badges in honor of fallen Cliffside Park, Bergen County Police Officer Stephen Petruzzello, 22, who was killed in the line of duty in December.

They wore the same bands following the murder of NYPD officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos on Dec. 21.