VOLUME 31, NUMBER 2 • SUMMER 2021
Police Officers Labor Council (POLC) 667 E. Big Beaver Road, Suite 205, Troy, MI 48083. (248) 524-3200 • FAX: (248) 524-2752 POLC membership: www.polc.org
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CHAIR: Steve McInchak Gibraltar Police Dept.
VICE CHAIR: Brian McNair Chesterfield Township Police Dept.
Collin Birnie Flint Police Dept.
Scott Eager
Battle Creek Police Dept.
Troy Taylor
Oak Park Public Safety Dept.
Jeff Gormley
Bloomfield Hills Public Safety Dept.
John Huizdos
Bloomfield Township Police Dept.
DIRECTOR, Robert Figurski Warren PD (Retired)
MEMBER SERVICES Lloyd Whetstone PUBLICATIONS Executive Editor: Jennifer Gomori
Organizers delay inperson Police Week events until October
N
ational Police Week host organizers postponed in-person events during National Police Week May 9-15, 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Some virtual events took place in May, including the Virtual Candlelight Vigil on May 13, however organizers rescheduled the in-person Police Week events to Oct. 13-17, 2021 in Washington D.C. That decision was due to the inability to secure necessary permits in time due to COVID-19 restrictions. In-person Michigan Police Week events were also postponed due to COVID-19. During the Virtual Candlelight Vigil, the names of 394 officers who died in the line of duty were read, including 99 from historical records. The remaining 295 officers died in 2020, including a staggering 182 officers who died as a result of exposure to COVID-19 while performing official duties. “Rarely have the importance and implications of protecting the public been more evident than during this pandemic,” said POLC Director Rob Figurski. “Law enforcement officers have taken on the double exposure of danger performing their duties during a deadly virus. We salute your steadfast commitment to maintaining law and order during an extremely unpredictable time and honor all those who paid the ultimate price.” In-person Police Week events are as follows:
POLICE WEEK EVENTS – MICHIGAN
Year-round: Police Week Michigan, a citizen project launched in 2019, encourages residents to support their local law enforcement officers during National Police Week and throughout the year. Police Week Michigan’s website is filled with ideas to support and recognize officers as individuals or through schools and community organizations. Click here for ideas to support your local law enforcement officers. Saturday, Aug. 14: Annual Michigan Peace Officers’ Candlelight Memorial Service – 3 p.m. east steps of Lansing State Capitol, 100 North Capitol Avenue. The service will honor 2019 and 2020 fallen Michigan officers. Please contact Andrea Arrington, Michigan Concerns of Police Survivors President at (877) 464-2677 or email survivor@micops.org for more information.
NATIONAL EVENTS (OCT. 13-17, 2021) – WASHINGTON D.C.
Wednesday, Oct. 13: Blue Honor Gala – Time and Location TBD. Formal event for law enforcement officers, survivors and peer supporters honoring fallen heroes. www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/national-police-weekend • Police Unity Tour Chapters 1, 2 and 9 are postponing their May 2021 rides until October to align with COVID-19 postponed National Police Week in-person events. Arrival is at the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on Oct. 13. Police Unity Tour raises awareness for law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty while raising funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum. Call (973) 443-0030, email cjacksic@ policeunitytour.com or visit www.policeunitytour.com Thursday, Oct. 14: Blue Family Brunch – 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA. Open to those who registered through C.O.P.S. website. Survivors are encouraged to attend to meet fellow survivors prior to main events. Registration required at www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/national-police-weekend • NLEOMF Candlelight Vigil – 6 p.m. at the National Mall. Honoring officers who died in the line of duty whose names were engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers
