Title
Special Recognition - National Correctional Officers Week
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Recognize the Olympia Police Department Corrections Officers
Report
Issue:
Whether to recognize National Correctional Officers Week and the City of Olympia Corrections Officers.
Staff Contact:
Laura Wohl, Police Department, 360.753.8214
Presenter(s):
Ronnie Roberts, Chief of Police
Background and Analysis:
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued Proclamation 5187 declaring a National Correctional Officers Week to be observed the first full week of May. In 2017, National Correctional Officers Week is May 7-13. President Reagan stated in his proclamation:
“Correctional officers have the difficult and often dangerous assignment of ensuring the custody, safety and well-being of the over 600,000 inmates in our Nation's prisons and jails. Their position is essential to the day-to-day operations of these institutions; without them it would be impossible to achieve the foremost institutional goals of security and control.”
Historically, correctional officers have been viewed as "guards," occupying isolated and misunderstood positions in prisons and jails. In recent years, the duties of these officers have become increasingly complex and demanding. They are called upon to fill, simultaneously, custodial, supervisory and counseling roles. The professionalism, dedication and courage exhibited by these officers throughout the performance of these demanding and often conflicting roles deserve our utmost respect. The important work of correctional officers often does not receive the recognition from the public it deserves. It is appropriate that we honor the many contributions and accomplishments of these men and women who are a vital component of the field of corrections.
Attachments:
None