There aren’t many who can claim they’ve been central to American law enforcement’s journey for decades, but Craig Floyd is one. He’s the founder and president of Citizens Behind the Badge, a nonprofit that’s fighting hard to restore respect for officers and deliver them the resources they need. Before that, you probably knew Craig as the founding chief executive officer of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, steering it from an idea to a nationally beloved symbol in Washington, D.C.
Craig retired in 2018 from his role at the Memorial, but the events of 2020 drove him back to the profession.
As Craig puts it, “It just bugged the hell out of me when, you know, everybody started crucifying law enforcement. And I’m like, what is going on here?”
Not one to sit on the sidelines, Floyd got up, and Citizens Behind the Badge began.
He may have never worn the badge himself, but he’s been surrounded by those who do, and he’s made their stories, safety, and honor his life’s work.
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
Before taking on national advocacy, Craig Floyd played a pivotal role in building two meaningful landmarks: The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and the accompanying Law Enforcement Museum.
Craig’s journey started right out of college, working with Congressman Mario Biaggi. Biaggi was a living legend who served 23 years as an NYPD officer before joining Congress.
The push for a permanent memorial began in the 1970s, stalled, and was finally revived in the 1980s, thanks to Congressman Mario Biaggi and Craig Floyd’s efforts. In 1981, Biaggi introduced a new bill, and in 1984, it became law.
“It said, basically, we’re going to establish a National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial somewhere in the nation’s capital,” Floyd said.
It was up to Craig and his team to find the land, raise the money, create the design, and oversee construction.
The Memorial was dedicated in 1991, and Craig didn’t stop there. It would take 20 years to bring the National Law Enforcement Museum to life, finally opening in 2018, the same year Craig retired from his role with the Memorial Fund.
Craig’s tireless work at the memorial is legendary. If you’ve ever been to a Police Week in D.C., you’ve probably seen him, and if you’ve seen him, you know him. Craig always had time for anyone behind the badge.
The Founding of Citizens Behind the Badge
Craig’s retirement didn’t last long. A sudden shift in the country’s mood after the death of George Floyd in 2020 pulled him back into the mission. The anti-police narrative hit hard and fast, and Craig felt the need to counter what he calls “media lies” and political bashing of police.
“It just bugged the hell out of me when, you know, everybody started crucifying law enforcement… All of a sudden, it almost seemed it was okay not to comply when a police officer would pull you over for a traffic violation.”
Citizens Behind the Badge is a nonprofit organization created with a clear goal:
To end the “defund and defame the police” movement and to ensure law enforcement agencies get the support and resources they desperately need.
The period after 2020 saw few standing up publicly for officers, and then there was Craig and his team. Citizens Behind The Badge focused their efforts on turning that silent support into an active, national movement.
Today, what started as one man sick of the narrative has turned into a movement.
Cities are now “refunding” the police. Recruitment is improving, and crime rates are easing from their peak.
Indeed, Craig Floyd spent the first half of his life honoring the fallen, and his efforts today are preventing the very chaos that takes the lives of our officers and the citizens they serve.
You can find out more about Citizens Behind The Badge here.
