Updated: 6/1/10

• "Blue Alert" to be Implemented in Maryland
• 31st Annual Memorial Service, May 10
• National Police Week 2010
• C.O.P.S. Changes Mission Statement to Include Co-Workers
• C.O.P.S. Scholarships



"Blue Alert" to be Implemented in Maryland

Based upon the success of the Amber and Silver Alerts and by using the same notification system, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) is asking law enforcement officers, agencies, and survivors to help put a Blue Alert in effect nationwide. As you may know, the Amber Alert is in effect for missing children and the Silver Alert is for missing senior citizens; and these programs function in many states across the nation. The Blue Alert will provide the means to speed the apprehension of violent criminals who kill or seriously wound local, state, or federal law enforcement officers. To find out how to help, visit the C.O.P.S. website, www.nationalcops.org

On April 9, 2010, the state of Maryland passed a Blue Alert law, 46 - 0. You can download a PDF version of the bill.

- back to top -



31st Annual Memorial Service, May 10

The 31st Annual DC Area Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service, hosted by the Fraternal Order of Police DC Lodge #1 Auxiliary, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 10 in front of the Metropolitan Police Department Memorial Fountain (300 Indiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.)

This is an annual event recognizing the members of the Washington-area law enforcement family who have given their lives in service to their communities. This year there will be a special honor for Special Police Officer Stephen Johns of the U.S. Holocaust Museum.

View invitation.

- back to top -


C.O.P.S. Changes Mission Statement to Include Co-Workers

Although Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) has always done what it could to reach out to the affected co-workers of fallen law enforcement officers, the mission statement of C.O.P.S. fell short of acknowledging co-workers as a vital part of the membership of C.O.P.S. At the November 2008 Board Meeting, the C.O.P.S. National Board voted unanimously to include the term "affected co-workers" in C.O.P.S.’ Mission Statement. The DC-COPS Mission Statement will also be changed, since we follow the National C.O.P.S. mission.

C.O.P.S. recently made provisions for affected co-workers to become voting members in the 48 local / regional / state C.O.P.S. chapters. C.O.P.S. continues to plan seminar sessions for affected co-workers at the annual May 14 and 16 National Police Survivors’ Conference, and the annual "Traumas of Law Enforcement" trainings make it possible for agencies to learn how to better support not only the surviving families of fallen officers but take care of those co-workers who will forever remember and be affected by the deaths of their partners.

The updated mission statement is as follows: Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty as determined by Federal criteria. Furthermore, C.O.P.S. provides training to law enforcement agencies on survivor victimization issues and educates the public of the need to support the law enforcement profession and its survivors.

- back to top -



Gift from Within Articles

Dr. Beverly Anderson of the Metropolitan Police Employee Assistance Program is a member of Gift From Within's board of advisors. Gift From Within is a nonprofit organization was founded in 1993 by Frank Ochberg, M.D., an expert in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD). They are dedicated to those suffering from PTSD and their supporters including first responders. Gift from Within has posted several articles written by Dr. Anderson and others.

Visit the Gift from Within Web site.

- back to top -



C.O.P.S. Scholarships

C.O.P.S. Scholarships are awarded three times yearly (Fall/Winter, Winter/Spring, and Summer Semesters) to surviving spouses and children of officers killed in the line of duty. For more information or an application, visit www.nationalcops.org/forms or call the C.O.P.S. National Office at 573-346-4911.

- back to top -

Washington, D.C. Chapter, Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.
Post Office Box 31549
Washington, D.C. 20030-1549
(202) 332-COPS   (202) 583-3505 fax

Contact: