The Olympia City Council signed two proclamations observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 16, 2023 and recognizing Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on January 9, 2023 on Tuesday, January 10.
Rev. David L. Reaves of New Life Baptist Church encouraged the community to "move beyond this day of celebration and be intentional about the acts based upon the principles that King set forth to everyone" in celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The Federal government recognized Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a national holiday.
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life to the non-violent crusade for human rights for all people. He advanced the values of equality, justice, and opportunity for all.
"Dr. King's words and vision resonate today as they did in his lifetime, and it is incumbent upon us all to carry forward his principles of peace, equality, and service," the proclamation stated.
The city council urged people to pay tribute to the life and works of Dr. King through participation in acts of service to the community.
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
Councilmembers also expressed appreciation to the men and women men and women who serve their communities in law enforcement agencies through a proclamation for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
The city has 110 men and women serving in the Olympia Police Department (OPD), comprised of 76 commissioned officers, 13 corrections officers, and 21 civilians.
The proclamation stated that OPD staff responded to more than 49,000 calls for services, attended 147 community events, and engaged with nearly 12,000 community members in 2021.
"OPD has worked to develop a diversity of services, including the Crisis Response Unit and the Familiar Faces Peer Navigators, to ensure better community members can get the most appropriate response to their needs," stated the proclamation.
In addition, the OPD created a department workgroup to evaluate and modify more than 20 OPD policies to ensure they comply with newly adopted state police reform legislation and meet the community's expectations.
Olympia Police Chief Rich Allen thanked the city council for recognizing the police department. "All of us in the department believe that policing is an honor and a privilege. We try every day to live up to the standards that the public has."
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