B4 – Ceremonies and Events

 How to plan and create law enforcement ceremonies and events including funerals  Inclusive nature of public prayer  Steps in planning events  Developing a planning committee  Tools for creating events  Kinds of ceremonies and events  Protocol for American flag  Events that involve chaplains

 Honor lives and work of peace officers  Aid in the grief process for families and officers  Draw public attention to work of peace officers  Allow community to express appreciation  Positive visibility of peace officers and law enforcement agencies

 Peace Officer Memorial Service  Line of Duty Death Funeral  Active Duty or Off Duty Funeral  Retired Officer Funeral  Promotion Ceremony  Dedication Ceremony  COPS Blue Light Ceremony  Blue Mass  Candlelight Vigil

 Who should be involved in planning  Seek support of area chaplains and clergy  Submit plan to agency/agencies for approval  See feedback for future ceremonies/events  Planning the event  Involve key personnel; form planning committee  Set meeting times and locations  Plan early as possible  Make and review checklist for all aspects of event  Keep committee and agencies informed

 Follow agency protocol  Honor Guard  Procession  Assist family and officers  Family wishes are primary  Attention to detail  Never attempt to evangelize or proselytize  Chaplain can be liaison between agency and family  Always respect wishes of the family

 Active Off Duty  Follow agency protocol  Honor Guard  Similar to line of duty death  Retired  Follow agency protocol  Honor Guard  Local tradition

 Purpose  Honor officers who have died during the year  Aid families in grief process  Draws positive attention to law enforcement  Allows agency to honor their deceased officers  Allows public to show appreciation for officers  Reminds public of sacrifices of law enforcement

 Names  Police Memorial Service  Peace Officers Memorial Service  Law Enforcement Memorial Service  Whatever agency/agencies deem appropriate  Who is Involved  Agency  Multiple local, state, and federal agencies  Community  Local, state, and/or federal Fraternal Order of Police

 When  Police Memorial Week (week of May 15)  COPS Project Blue Light  Whenever agency deems appropriate  About same time each year  Where  Inside or outside  Central location to community  Politically neutral site  Public parking available  Cost for use of facility  Large enough for crowd  Rain alternative

 Music  Bagpipes  Ensembles from local church or school  Soloists  Choir of agency employees including officers  Instruments  Patriotic music  Law enforcement music (Beneath the Badge)

 Speaker  Local TV/Radio personality  Local, state, or federal law enforcement official  Politician (consider carefully)  Clergy (consider ecumenical importance)  Professional speaker  Dignitaries  All local, state, and federal officials should be invited  Determine form of recognition and seating

 Families  Identify officers to be honored (active, retired, LODD)  Send invitations  Provide check-in for families  Provide reserved seating  Provide instructions to families of any participation  Officer escorts  Flowers  Reception afterward

 Wreath for placing flowers in memory of officers  Roll call of names  Family members escorted by agency officer to place flower  Determine who will represent family in any participation

 Publicity  Utilize free media  Community newspapers  TV/Radio/Newspaper Public Service Announcements  Press release by agencies  Paid advertising  Local TV/Radio talk shows

 Be sensitive to weather  Paramedics on hand  Reception for families optional  After the service  Debrief with committee  Decide what worked and what will not work next time  Set date and time for next year if applicable  Send Thank You’s to sponsors, donors, and others who provided goods, services, facilities, etc.

 Agency ceremonies  Promotion  Officer of the Year  Swearing In  Building Dedication  Any occasion deemed appropriate by agency  Events  Dedications of Buildings  Marriages  Baptisms  Blessing a new home  Funerals  Community events  Agency events

 Be inclusive of all present  Roll Calls  Ceremonies  Hospital visits  Funerals  Dedications  Official functions

 Chaplains should attempt to be inclusive of all religious backgrounds  Chaplain prayer must be sincere and meaningful  Chaplains should become familiar with other religious faiths  Chaplain may seek assistance from someone of another faith background to assist in ministering to others and prayers