As National Police Week 2016 wrapped up Saturday, local law enforcement agencies in Brevard County gathered in Melbourne to honor hometown heroes and talk public safety.

  • Police Memorial Day and Public Safety Expo started at 10 a.m. in Melbourne Square
  • Event offers opportunities for local departments to interact with and educate the public on policies, training, and equipment

Some local departments are looking to change the negative view many communities have of law enforcement.
 
“I’ve been a cop for 36 years,” said Brevard Sheriff Wayne Ivey, “and I’ve never seen what I see going on today.”
 
Many people looked on during the annual Police Memorial Day and Public Safety Expo as Ivey shared his thoughts on how he believes law enforcement is currently viewed in this county.  
 
“All of a sudden it’s become OK to physically and verbally target law enforcement officers,” said Ivey.
 
While that may be the case in other communities, Ivey says that’s not what officers are encountering in his county.
 
“We don’t have that in Brevard," said Ivey. "What we have is just the opposite: we have a community that loves our law enforcement, that protects us just like we protect them."
 
Sheriff Ivey attributes that positivity to the involvement each law enforcement agency has throughout the county. Hosting events like Saturday’s Police Memorial and Safety Expo allow the different departments to educate adults and children on some of the most technologically advanced weapons and vehicles as well as medical training to keep the community safe.

Law enforcement agencies from all over the county were at the Expo, and thousands of residents were able to visit and meet the men and women who serve and protect. The outreach effort is one Ivey hopes more officers will do across the country.
 
“When you see what’s going on like last year, 129 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty, you look at the blog sites and everything else that talks ill of our heroes, and it’s time for America to say 'that’s enough.'” Ivey said.