Presidential Proclamation: Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week 2026

You might care about this because this Federal Register document is a Presidential Proclamation from May 11, 2026, designating May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 10-16, 2026, as Police Week. The proclamation pays tribute to men and women in law enforcement, honoring those who have died or been injured in the line of duty. The President states that his administration has worked to restore law and order, claiming that crime had previously surged due to 'left-wing-fueled lawlessness,' soft-on-crime policies, illegal immigration, and cashless bail programs. He mentions directing federal resources to high-crime cities and ending 'sanctuary state' laws, which he claims has led to crime falling to record lows in some areas and an 80-year low for on-duty officer deaths. The proclamation also highlights the signing of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which ensures no tax on overtime for police, and an Executive Order to end cashless bail within the federal justice system for dangerous offenses. The document concludes by calling on all Americans, states, and territories to observe these days, including flying flags at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, based on existing public laws. This proclamation is particularly interesting because it combines a traditional presidential observance with strong political commentary and claims about specific policy achievements. Historically, such proclamations focus on honoring service and sacrifice without detailing a presidential administration's political narrative on crime. Here, the President presents a clear distinction between previous conditions, which he describes as lawlessness, and his administration's actions to restore order. The document outlines concrete policy steps, like the described ending of 'sanctuary state' laws and the Executive Order on cashless bail. It also provides specific metrics, such as the claim of crime falling to historic lows in some areas and an 80-year low for officer deaths. This blending of a ceremonial designation with a detailed account of an administration's criminal justice policies and alleged successes makes it stand out from typical proclamations of this kind. It uses the occasion of honoring law enforcement to also make a broader statement about governing philosophy and outcomes. This legal document would be of interest to several groups. Law enforcement officers and their families would find it relevant, as it directly honors their service and sacrifices. Those interested in criminal justice policy and reform, including legal scholars, policymakers, and advocacy groups, would want to review the President's claims about crime rates, 'sanctuary state' laws, and cashless bail. Citizens concerned about public safety and law and order would also find the document important, particularly the assertions about crime reduction and the administration's efforts to combat crime. Taxpayers and federal employees might be interested in the mention of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act and its impact on police overtime. Additionally, historians and political scientists could examine this proclamation as an example of how presidential declarations can be used to convey a political message alongside a ceremonial purpose.