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