The Mission Statement of Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (C.O.P.S.) reflects the strong belief that assistance, guidance, understanding, compassion, empathy, and hope for the future for the survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty begins with a caring, prepared agency. While no person and no agency can be fully prepared for the trauma a law enforcement death inflicts, there are many things an agency can do to prepare for this possibility that will lessen chaos that follows an officer death. Therefore, C.O.P.S. offers various programs and services for law enforcement survivors, as well as training, reference materials, and guidance for agencies.
C.O.P.S. also believes that a law enforcement death affects not only the surviving family and the agency, but the community as well. C.O.P.S. has three active public awareness campaigns to call attention to the risks involved in the law enforcement profession and the sacrifices made by law enforcement personnel nationwide.
Through the national board, local chapters, and national network of survivors, C.O.P.S. is able to contact a newly-bereaved surviving family - sometimes within just days of the death. It helps the new survivors to see people who have survived the devastation, thus providing a sense of hope. The C.O.P.S. National Office contacts each surviving family at least six times a year. Quarterly newsletters provide messages of hope and encouragement and share stories of survivors' accomplishments since the death of the officer.
C.O.P.S. also sends a remembrance card to each survivor during the anniversary month of the officer's death. Too often survivors are reluctant to share their feelings of grief because they don't want to be a "burden" to their friends and neighbors. This card lets them know that others remember their officer and the sacrifice he or she made. The holiday season can be especially difficult for survivors. C.O.P.S. lets survivors know that it is okay to feel happy or sad, to continue holiday traditions or to start new traditions, to celebrate or not celebrate. Survivors know that when they need it, support is just a phone call away! Survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty according to Federal government criteria, regardless of the date of death, are encouraged to contact C.O.P.S. for more information.
The MI-C.O.P.S. board and survivors are present at visitations, funerals and memorial services for fallen officers. They are also present for trial and parole support.
Monthly survivor support meetings are held in several locations around the state. A strong network of survivors exists which provides peer support and assistance. No one is ever forced to travel this journey of grief alone.
An annual Christmas banquet is held for survivors every December in Lansing. Annual picnics are held in several locations around the state and other events take place throughout the year. These gatherings give survivors an opportunity to be together for support as well as fun.
A state memorial service at the Capitol is held each year in May to honor not only those Michigan peace officers killed in the line of duty, but to honor all men and women who protect and serve.
Project Blue Ribbon and Project Blue Light are promoted to memorialize officers and make the public aware of law enforcement.
Quarterly newsletters focus on the special needs of survivors, events that are taking place, and any other important information about the organization and its members.
MI-C.O.P.S. funds the transportation for survivors to attend C.O.P.S. annual retreats held for parents, spouses, siblings, children and extended family members of fallen officers. MI-C.O.P.S. offers a stipend to assist with travel for co-workers and extended family.
Training is provided to law enforcement agencies on proper line-of-duty death notifications and procedures, support services available to families and co-workers of line-of duty deaths, and information is provided regarding death benefits that may be available to survivors.
MI-C.O.P.S. works for legislation to be passed in the state of Michigan that benefits survivors, such as tuition waiver, the Remarriage Act, and the State Death Benefit.
Referral lists of financial advisors and professional counseling for both adults and children are available.