National Police Week

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The Memorial Service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation’s Capital each year. (From www.policeweek.org/index.html)

My interest lies in the National Police Week Honor Guard Competition. The competition has different parts: a pipe band competition and the honor guard competition. The honor guards go through an inspection, colors posting and an ceremonial/exhibition phase where each team not only execute some fancy rifle work, but some teams also present a folded flag or offer some other ceremonial segment.

Newly added to the Downloads page here at The Drill Master Routine Mapping Tool (RMT) specifically for Police Week! The Police Week RMT is marked off for a 30″ step in a 35′ x 75′ rectangle. Write your routine and map it out to keep all of your teammates current on the sequence. Download it here!

Here is a sample of the ceremonial/exhibition drill performance.

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To all of the attendees for the coming year: Thank you for keeping our streets safe. Do your best and have a great time!