The COPS Office’s Uplifting the Image: Highlighting Heroes Photo Contest is currently open and accepting submissions.
Submissions will be accepted through Monday, November 3, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET.
For updates on the contest, please subscribe to COPS Office email notifications and follow us Facebook and X.
Email tellcops@usdoj.gov for any questions.
ABOUT THE PHOTO CONTEST
State, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies are invited to submit one photo that reflects the agency’s proactive policing with community members, stakeholders, local government, and others.
The COPS Office will select approximately twelve (12) winning photos that may be showcased as headers on the COPS Office X and Facebook pages and on the homepage of the COPS Office website. Winning agencies may also be featured in an article in the COPS Office e-newsletter, the CP Dispatch, or a COPS Office–issued press release. There is no cash award or other prize for this photo contest.
Please note that both selected and non-selected photos may be archived and used in other COPS Office or U.S. Department of Justice communications for Federal Government purposes in the future. There is no cash award or other prize for this photo contest.
How to Enter
Brief overview on how to enter a complete submission:
- Select or snap a photo that best conveys your agency’s “policing in action.”
- Please note that horizontal images are preferred.
- Photo may include community members of all ages, however, we highly encourage photos depicting positive interactions with adults.
- All pictured officers recognizable in the photo must be in good standing.
- Fill out the following mandatory forms:*
- Permission and Release to Law Enforcement Agencies Form for the image.
- Privacy Consent, Waiver, and Release Authorizing Use and Disclosure of Photographic Image Form(s) for each recognizable individual.
*Submissions will not be accepted without the Permission and Release form and the Privacy Consent, Waiver, and Release form(s). Need more information about the forms? Check out our FAQ’s section.
- Include the following background information for the image:
- A brief description of the photo
- An explanation of how it reflects your department’s positive community engagement
- Photo credit (examples: Photo courtesy of [name of law enforcement agency] or Photo taken by [name of photographer])
- Email in your complete submission by 8:00 p.m. ET on Monday, November 3, 2025.
Please read all contest Rules, Terms and Conditions carefully before submitting your photo entry.
Rules, Terms, and Conditions
Please carefully review the updated rules, terms, and conditions before getting started. Please note that the COPS Office reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel, suspend or amend the contest at any time without prior notice. Any changes will be posted on the COPS Office website.
By submitting a photo, the entrant agrees with the contest rules, terms, and conditions and warrants that the photo complies with all requirements set forth below.
*A printable, PDF version of the Contest Rules, Terms, and Conditions can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions
*A printable, PDF version of the Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONTEST
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions regarding the contest, please contact the COPS Office tellcops@usdoj.gov
