Editorial: A day for thanking police

Hug a cop today. Well, maybe you don't have to go that far, but at least say thanks. A coalition of police-support associations has declared today, Jan. 9, National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. In response to broad-brush criticism police have experienced because of isolated controversies in Ferguson, Missouri, and Staten Island, New York, the agencies want citizens around the country to remember what a difficult, dangerous job it is for police to keep communities safe. We do, too. As we said in an editorial Thursday, the conversation can't end there, but that's certainly where it has to begin. For more information on how you can participate in today's commemoration, go online to http://www.nleomf.org/newsroom/news-releases/law-enforcement-appreciation.html