“A mature and conscious society cannot limit its appreciation to occasional gestures”
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, celebrated on January 9 and internationally known as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, represents a symbolically relevant initiative and, in formal terms, one worthy of consideration.
By marking a specific date dedicated to the men and women responsible for maintaining public order, society seeks—albeit in a time-concentrated manner—to express gratitude for a service that is essential to collective life.
However, the very establishment of a day dedicated to recognizing law enforcement invites a more demanding reflection. The role performed by these institutions and the exercise of legitimate authority are not confined to a ceremonial moment or an annual observance. Rather, they constitute a permanent mission, carried out daily, often under adverse conditions, with a high degree of responsibility and a very narrow margin for error.
Law enforcement agencies operate in a space where duty, risk, and personal sacrifice are closely intertwined. Their presence ensures not only the enforcement of the law, but also the stability indispensable to the full exercise of individual freedoms. Without order, there is no freedom. Without authority, there is no civilized coexistence. These principles, sometimes forgotten in contemporary public debate, remain timeless.
A mature and conscious society cannot limit its appreciation to occasional gestures or scheduled demonstrations. Genuine recognition is expressed continuously—through institutional respect, responsible public discourse, and a civic culture that understands the central role played by law enforcement in maintaining social balance.
Thus, January 9 should be understood not as a point of arrival, but as a reminder. A reminder that the gratitude owed to law enforcement is neither episodic nor optional. It is a moral obligation that renews itself every day of the year. Blue Lives Matter.
César DePaço
Entrepreneur and philanthropist
Honorary Consul of Portugal from 2014 to 2020
Founder and CEO of Summit Nutritionals International Inc.
President of the DePaço Foundation
Unconditional supporter of law enforcement and conservative principles