It’s National Police Week, and all around the country the public is encouraged to show their appreciation for their local law enforcement.

Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn says the Perry Police Department is pleasantly surprised every year by the outpouring of support from the community. “It’s always a special time of the year for the officers. It gives us a chance to remember those officers who’ve maybe sacrificed their lives in law enforcement service. But also during that time it’s great that we see a lot of outpouring from the community; a lot of thanks and cards and that type of thing coming into the police department, just showing us some appreciation for the job that we do. So it’s always a special time that we get that recognition.”

Vaughn also offers thanks of his own to the officers of the Perry Police Department, saying that they’re small in numbers but make up for it with passion for serving the City. “We don’t have a huge department, we have 12 officers right now. And you know they work a lot of hours. And we’ve been short handed for several years, haven’t been really up to full staff, so they’ve put in a lot of overtime. I just want to say, ‘Thank you’ to them and all the time that they put in and the extra hours. And also ‘Thank you’ to the families, too, for allowing us to have your officers, and have them help us here in the City of Perry and protect our streets.”

Vaughn reminds residents that the Perry Police Department is active 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and if anyone needs anything they should feel free to stop in or call their office at 515-465-4636.