NEW YORK, June 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Today, Peace Islands Institute (PII) (www.peaceislands.org), a non-profit organization that promotes peaceful dialogue through social and intellectual interaction, will host its 1st annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Reception with honorary guest Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

The reception will acknowledge officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) as well as the New York Court System for their distinguished work and outstanding service.PII will recognize accomplished New York State Law Enforcement Officers, who have exceeded their duty and those who exemplify the virtues of professionalism and dedication.

"Law enforcement is a vital component of society and peace building efforts within our communities," said Zafer Akin, President of Peace Islands Institute. "As such, we must recognize the men and women of law enforcement that work tirelessly to ensure our safety and give us peace of mind."

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will deliver key note remarks and join PII in honoring Supreme Court Judge Bruce Balter; Commanding Officer of Patrol in the Borough of Queens, Assistant Chief Diana L. Pizzuti; as well as Queens FDNY Deputy Chief Nancy Gilligan, all who demonstrate a distinct pattern of service to the State of New York and the nation as whole. The recipients were nominated by their peers before being selected by a PII jury.

"As the state's chief law enforcement officer and a former deputy sheriff, I've witnessed firsthand the dedication and determination of New York's public safety officers," said Attorney General Schneiderman. "These brave men and women not only keep our streets safe and our communities secure, but they also bridge the divide to bring together diverse segments of our state. We cannot thank them enough for their service."

PII has also organized Law Enforcement appreciation receptions in a number of different states including New Jersey before bringing the ceremony to New York for the first time today. The program will be held at the Peace Islands' New York headquarters on Fifth Avenue and will be attended by many of the city's law enforcement officers.

About Peace Islands InstitutePeace Islands Institute is a nonprofit 501c organization dedicated to fostering peaceful human relations by facilitating dialogue between different peoples, ethnicities, religions, and cultures. The organization helps highlight common humanity by promoting intellectual collaboration and social interaction, and implementing social responsibility projects. To further its goals, the organization operates four centers: Center for Global Affairs, Center for Social Affairs, Center for Interfaith Affairs and Center for Education. The organization and its centers host several events including interfaith dialogues, panel discussions, inter-cultural trips, and philanthropic events.

Learn more about Peace Islands Institute atwww.peaceislands.org or on Twitter @Peace_Islands.

Original post:

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman Joins Peace Islands Institute To Honor New York Law Enforcement