During the month of May, Officer.com covered several topics including security at the first two legs of the Triple Crown following the Boston Marathon bombings and all over the events surrounding National Police Week.
Here are some of the exclusive news stories that appeared on Officer.com that you may have missed last month:
Law Enforcement Prepared for Kentucky Derby
Louisville Metro Police Assistant Chief Kenton Buckner is spoke to Officer.com Associate Editor Paul Peluso about the pre-planning that is done to prepare for the two-week Kentucky Derby Festival that consists of close to 50 events.
This year's horse race drew more than 150,000 spectators and offered a myriad of challenges police had to be prepared for.
"Coming on the heels of the Boston Marathon incident, it was kind of challenging for us to make sure that we dotted our i's and crossed our t's to make sure that the public would be safe for the event," Buckner said leading up to the race.
"Our goal is to try to make sure that everyone is safe and that they are engaged with us in our protection of them during the security of the event."
Baltimore Police Primed for the Preakness
Two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, Baltimore police readied for 138th running of the Preakness Stakes.
Lt. Samuel Hood III, director of the Baltimore Police Department’s CitiWatch video surveillance network, told Joel Griffin from Officer.com's sister-site SecurityInfoWatch.com that everyone entering the racetrack grounds will also be searched due to the high number of attendees.
"We want to make sure everyone has a safe environment and a festive atmosphere for the second jewel of the Triple Crown," he said. "In addition to that, we have just put in more proactive, preventative measures where we will have bomb technicians on scene as vehicles come in and out because of the venue -- horses trailers and all of this other equipment -- will be checked prior to entering the ground."
Finishing Touches Put on Memorial Ahead of Vigil
Craig Floyd, Chairman and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, spoke to Officer.com about honoring those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice ahead of National Police Week, which ran from May 12-18.
"We're ready for our 25,000 or so guests that will be joining us during National Police Week this year," he said.
Line of duty deaths saw a drastic decline in 2012, something Floyd credits a lot to the attention on the safety of law enforcement officers and advancements in technology.
"I think we're focused in laser-like fashion as a nation on the problem of law enforcement safety," he said. "The bottom line is, more officers are better trained, better equipped and more are wearing their bullet resistant vests."
Group Helps Survivors Cope During Police Week
Concerns of Police Survivors spokeswoman Sara Slone spoke to Officer.com about how the organization helps survivors cope with their loss and prepares them for their visit to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
"We kind of hold their hand so that they don't have to think about it," she said. "They can just attend, and enjoy it the best they can."
Full Coverage of National Police Week 2013
Officer.com provided full coverage of Police Week events from events like the unveiling ceremony and the Police Unity Tour to cornerstone events like the Candlelight Vigil and the Peace Officers' Memorial.
Click here to read the stories, watch the videos and view the slideshows from events over the course of the week.
