Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 2027 — Date, History, and How to Observe It
In 2027, Law Enforcement Appreciation Day falls on Saturday, January 9. It is a national observance in the United States dedicated to honoring police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and all law enforcement professionals who serve their communities. The day is not a federal public holiday — schools, banks, and government offices remain open on January 9, 2027.
January 2027 observance at a glance:
- Saturday, January 9, 2027 — Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD)
- Type: National observance (not a federal public holiday)
- Also known as: LEAD Day, National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
- Founded: 2015 by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)
What Is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day?
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD) is a national initiative held annually on January 9 to recognize the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers across the United States. It was established in 2015 by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), a nonprofit organization that supports families of officers killed in the line of duty.
The observance encourages the public to show appreciation for local police officers and sheriff’s departments through simple gestures — from social media posts to gift cards for coffee — and to acknowledge the difficult and often dangerous nature of law enforcement work.
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 2027 — Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date in 2027 | Saturday, January 9, 2027 |
| Day of the week | Saturday |
| Type | National observance |
| Federal holiday? | No |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founded by | Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) |
| Also known as | LEAD Day, National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day |
| Annual date | Always January 9 |
Is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day a Public Holiday in the USA in 2027?
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is not a federal public holiday in the United States in 2027. January 9 is a regular working day (or weekend, depending on the year). In 2027, it falls on a Saturday.
Banks, schools, and government offices follow their normal Saturday schedules. However, many police departments and sheriff’s offices hold recognition ceremonies, and communities across the country participate in organized appreciation events.
History of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was created in January 2015 by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), following a period of heightened tension between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. The date of January 9 was chosen to align with the start of the new year and to give communities an annual moment to reflect on and recognize the role of police in public safety.
Since its founding, LEAD has grown into a nationwide movement supported by law enforcement agencies, civic organizations, and businesses across all 50 states. The official color of LEAD is blue, in reference to the “Thin Blue Line” symbol of law enforcement.
How to Observe Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is observed through a wide range of activities, both individual and community-level:
Individual Ways to Show Appreciation
- Write a thank-you note or card to a local police officer or sheriff’s department
- Share a message of support on social media using the hashtag #LEAD
- Bring coffee, donuts, or a meal to a local police station
- Wear blue on January 9 in solidarity with law enforcement
Community and Business Participation
- Organize a community appreciation event at a local police precinct
- Offer police officer discounts at restaurants and retail stores on January 9
- Schools can invite local officers to speak to students about their work and community role
- Local governments can issue official proclamations recognizing Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
Important Dates in January 2027
| Date | Observance | Type |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2027 | New Year’s Day | Federal public holiday |
| January 6, 2027 | Epiphany (Three Kings Day) | Religious / cultural observance |
| January 7, 2027 | Orthodox Christmas Day | Religious observance |
| January 8, 2027 | Battle of New Orleans Anniversary | Historical commemoration |
| January 9, 2027 | Law Enforcement Appreciation Day | National observance |
| January 15, 2027 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Federal public holiday |
| January 19, 2027 | National Popcorn Day | Food observance |
| January 20, 2027 | Inauguration Day 2027 | Civic event |
| January 21, 2027 | National Hugging Day | Cultural observance |
| January 24, 2027 | National Compliment Day | Cultural observance |
| January 25, 2027 | Opposite Day | Fun observance |
| January 27, 2027 | Holocaust Remembrance Day | International observance (UNESCO) |
| January 28, 2027 | National Puzzle Day | Cultural observance |
Working Calendar — January 2027 USA
January 2027 has 21 working days (Monday to Friday), reduced to 19 effective working days due to two federal holidays:
- Federal holidays: January 1 (New Year’s Day), January 15 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) — 2 days
- Effective working days: 19
- Weekend days: 10
- Long weekends: MLK Day weekend (January 15–17)
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day falls on a Saturday, January 9, 2027 — a non-working day for most employees.
Download the January 2027 Calendar — Free PDF
Download the free printable January 2027 calendar for the United States, with Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, MLK Day, and all key dates highlighted.
Available formats:
- PDF with US holidays (A4 and US Letter)
- PDF without holidays (blank)
- PNG image (with and without holidays)
- DOCX (editable Word format)
- XLSX (editable Excel format)
Download January 2027 calendar — free PDF
Frequently Asked Questions About Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 2027
When is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in 2027?
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in 2027 falls on Saturday, January 9, 2027. The date is fixed every year at January 9.
Is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day a federal holiday in the USA?
No. Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is not a federal public holiday in the United States. It is a national observance. Banks, schools, and government offices are not required to close on January 9.
Who created Law Enforcement Appreciation Day?
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was founded in 2015 by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), a nonprofit organization that provides support to the families and co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
What does LEAD stand for?
LEAD stands for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. It is the official abbreviation used by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) and participating organizations across the United States.
How can I participate in Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 2027?
You can participate by writing a thank-you note to a local officer, wearing blue on January 9, sharing a message of support on social media using #LEAD, or bringing coffee or a meal to a local police station. Businesses can offer officer discounts, and community organizations can host appreciation events.
How many federal holidays are there in January 2027 in the USA?
There are 2 federal public holidays in January 2027 in the United States: New Year’s Day (January 1) and Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 15). Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on January 9 is a national observance, not a federal holiday.
What is the next federal holiday after Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in 2027?
The next federal public holiday after Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (January 9, 2027) is Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 15, 2027.
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 2027 falls on Saturday, January 9 — the same fixed date every year. Founded in 2015 by Concerns of Police Survivors, LEAD is a nationwide observance that gives communities across the United States an opportunity to honor and thank local law enforcement professionals. While it is not a federal public holiday in 2027, the day is widely recognized with events, gestures of appreciation, and social media campaigns using #LEAD.
For the full list of US holidays and observances in January 2027, see Public Holidays January 2027 USA. You can also browse the complete 2027 US public holidays calendar or download the February 2027 calendar.
