Pierce County Council passed two resolutions this week recognizing the contributions of the law enforcement officers who patrol the streets and staff the jails.

May 10-16 is National Police Week. Established by an act of Congress in 1962, it is a time to give special recognition to police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of the general public.

Last year 133 police officers were killed while doing their jobs. Their names will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Undersheriff Eileen Bisson told the council that assaults on police officers are up. With the ongoing downturn in the economy, many people who end up in encounters with police have additional stress from financial woes, which makes the potential for violence even greater.

May 4-10 is National Correctional Officers Week. Created by a proclamation issued by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, it honors all the men and women who work in correctional facilities.

Many individuals locked up in jails have a host of personal problems and challenges, ranging from illiteracy to mental illness, drug addiction to homelessness. Correctional officers have to deal with these people and their problems with respect and firmness.

This is a tough job under any conditions, but it has become even more stressful at Pierce County Jail in recent years. The county has struggled to fully staff its ranks of corrections officers. Those who are hired need a certain personality and temperament. Many applicants with these traits have traditionally come from the ranks of men and women recently leaving military service at the local bases. With the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of these individuals are not readily available. Many of the corrections officers have found themselves working considerable overtime as a result.

Police and correctional officers have stressful, often dangerous jobs. They deserve the recognition they receive this month.