I'd ( and some family and friends) like to tell our local officers how much we appreciate their hard work and dedication, especially in today's world, but I want to word it well.



In every profession, there are some things that the men and women would like to hear from their public/clientele/constituents, but that might not be apparent to the writers.

Should the envelope be addressed to the Sheriff/Police chief, to be passed along to the officers or someone else in the organization?

I am researching the websites of our local law enforcement agencies for proper contact information.

It was my experience while on the Wichita Police Dept. that the best letters were written from the heart. Any words of support will be most appreciated. And I'd sent a copy to the Chief of Police, Sheriff, etc. and maybe an additional copy to the particular Officer or Deputy if there is one. Ideally it will filter down from the top and end up in the personnel file.

Agreed...make it from the heart.

Don't think they don't appreciate and treasure those letters either. I have some I got over the years, that I have saved, they meant that much to me.

I have to agree with the above.

It makes all the difference when it comes to being honest and heart felt.

(Oh, and beer. Send beer. Cops LOVE beer! NOTHING says "thanks guys" like a few cases of beer! )

Over the years, I'd see letters of appreciation written by citizens, children and other agencies displayed at our HQ and sometimes at our individual stations. We appreciated them, and I'm sure agencies still do, especially with all of the negative news.

I was talking to two Bexar County(San Antonio, TX) deputies today at a restaurant, and I told them that the "hands up, don't shoot" dark period was a factor for me to retire and that it wasn't nearly as bad as it is now. They both agreed, and that the mood they are seeing in their agency and other local agencies is very dark.

Positive letters written to the chief, sheriff, constable, marshal, director, etc are always welcomed, especially now.

I'm retired law enforcement. Nothing makes an officers day more than to receive a heart felt appreciation letter from someone the officer interacted with, especially these days.

Send a copy of your letter c/o the Chief or Sheriff. Knowing the bureaucracy, it wouldn't be a bad idea to send a copy c/o the officer as well.

If the agency head is doing his/her job, you should receive a response back from them recognizing your letter of appreciation.

What AZ said.
Getting a letter is one thing,
Having one (copy)sent to the sergeant or chief is better. Then the officer doesn’t have to toot his own horn.

Dont just send it to the Chief. Send copies to every local council member, mayor or administrator too.
These are the people selling out our Police.

In addition to a general letter to the Chief or Sheriff, I would encourage you (and everyone else) to send a “job well done” letter to the Chief or Sheriff after EVERY positive contact with an officer. From personal experience, PA I can tell you that it does make the officer feel more better(er) about doing an otherwise thankless job. And it helps when evaluation time or promotions come up.

Send a short handwritten note to the Chief, and it will find its way to the officer's personnel file (often along with a nice comment or note). Just say please let office XXXX know I appreciate his or her actions on XXXX, or "I just wanted to let you know what I good expereince I had with officer XXX on XXXX. [give details]." I review a ton of these when producing personnel files for public records requests.

What a great idea.