Resolution to Recognize May 15, 2015 as Peace Officer's Memorial Day, and the week of May 10–16, 2015 as National Police Week
Resolution put forth by 3rd District Commissioner and Officer-at-Large, Christopher Mahurin. Resolution passed with a 6-1-3 vote on February 24, 2015. One Commissioner voted in opposition, three abstained, and three were absent.
Whereas, The Congress and President of the United States have designated May 15 as Peace Officer’s Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15th falls as National Police Week; and
Whereas, There are approximately 900,000 law enforcement officers serving in communities across the United States, including the dedicated members of the Santa Rosa Police Department, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office (including Windsor Police Department and Sonoma Police Department), Cloverdale Police Department, Healdsburg Police Department, Sebastopol Police Department, Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, Cotati Police Department, Sonoma State University Police Department, Petaluma Police Department, Santa Rosa Junior College Police Department and the California Highway Patrol; and
Whereas, Everyday, peace officers face the threat of violence and danger by putting their lives on the line to defend the lives of the communities they serve. Nearly 60,000 assaults against law enforcement officers reported each year, resulting in approximately 16,000 injuries, and 126 police officers killed in the line of duty in 2014, police officers knowingly and willingly face the potential of injury, disability or death for their bravery; and
Whereas, Peace officers recognize that the primary responsibility of their profession and of individual officers is the protection of the people within the jurisdiction of the United States through upholding of their laws, the most important of which are the Constitution of the United States and State Constitution and law derived there from; and
Whereas, It is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of their law enforcement agencies, and that members of our law enforcement agencies recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence and disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression; and
Whereas, Peace officers and community members recognize and understand the importance of Community Oriented Policing in order to build partnerships with citizens of Sonoma County in order to collaboratively problem-solve local concerns, maintain trust of the community, and proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.
Therefore Be It Resolved that on Tuesday, February 24, 2015,the Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights formally designates May 15, 2015 as Peace Officer's Memorial Day and May 10-16, 2015, as Police Week in Sonoma County.