Each year, the second full week of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators. It was first conceived by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County (Calif.) Sheriff’s Office in 1981 and was observed only at that agency for three years. Members of the Virginia and North Carolina chapters of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) became involved in the mid-1980s. By the early 1990s, the national APCO organization convinced Congress of the need for a formal proclamation. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced what became H.J. Res. 284 to create “National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week.” According to the Congressional procedure, it was presented twice more in 1993 and 1994 and then became permanent, without the need for annual introduction.

The 911 CARES project has a wide range of NTW logo products that are great for gifts—or just for yourself! Moreover, the project gives back to the dispatching community, so they are worthy of support. APCO has a blog to share NTW celebrations and honors.

The official name of the week when initially introduced in Congress in 1991 was “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.” In the intervening years, it has become known by several other names, including “National Public-Safety Telecommunications Week” and “International Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week.” The Congressional resolution also stated there were more than “500,000 telecommunications specialists,” although other estimates put the number of dispatchers at just over 200,000. The Congressional figure may include support personnel and perhaps even those in the commercial sector of public safety communications.

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5187, creating “National Correctional Officers’ Week.” Each year, the first full week in May is recognized as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week, commemorating the contributions of correctional officers and personnel who work in jails, prisons, and community corrections across the country.

Board Meetings are open to all paid members of the RCPAAA. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Board Meetings are held online. If you would like to attend a meeting, please contact membership@rcpaaa.org for details.

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th (National Peace Officers Memorial Day) falls, as National Police Week. National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

The Richardson Police Department organizes this annual event to honor those Texas law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the performance of their duties during the previous year.

This stirring ceremony includes remarks by the Richardson City Mayor and the Richardson Police Chief.  Names of the Texas officers who lost their lives will be read and a flower placed on a wreath in their honor. The RPD Honor Guard will perform “Taps” and make a 21-gun salute. A lone bagpiper will close the service.

The ceremony will be held in front of the Richardson Police Department, near the new RPD Memorial.

Board Meetings are open to all paid members of the RCPAAA. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Board Meetings are held online. If you would like to attend a meeting, please contact membership@rcpaaa.org for details.

Board Meetings are open to all paid members of the RCPAAA. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Board Meetings are held online. If you would like to attend a meeting, please contact membership@rcpaaa.org for details.

Board Meetings are open to all paid members of the RCPAAA. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Board Meetings are held online. If you would like to attend a meeting, please contact membership@rcpaaa.org for details.

Board Meetings are open to all paid members of the RCPAAA. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Board Meetings are held online. If you would like to attend a meeting, please contact membership@rcpaaa.org for details.