GROUP SERVICE AWARD- 2

This year, out of an outstanding field, we have two very different winners of the Group Service Award. In a sense, the group award winners this year represent the two sides of a partnership that must be present to make any lasting progress in combating the causes of crime – that of residents and of law enforcement.

The members of this group worked an ever changing schedule – based on criminal activity, information received and reported crime patterns. This often meant disruption of family life, child care issues and missing family events. The goal? A high visibility attack against criminal activity, narcotics dealing, citizen complaints and parole violators.

Said their nominator of the group, “they worked well together, displaying great enthusiasm and teamwork. Often facing difficult and dangerous situations where they found themselves outnumbered by suspects and associates, they maintained their composure and conducted themselves in a very professional manner.”

Due to the efforts of this group, many significant arrests have been made, to include: robbery, attempted murder, malicious wounding, firearm violations, felony narcotics violations, burglary, parole and probation violations and grand larceny. All this in 2 ½ month’s time.

Perhaps more important, “there has been a noticeable decrease in large groups of people congregating in certain areas and committing violations.”

Without the dedication, determination and effort put forth by each of these officers who volunteered to be part of this detail, many of the people arrested would most likely still be on the streets today continuing to commit violations of the law.

I am proud to announce the winners of the 2009 Group Service Award , the officers from the 3rd Patrol Division’s Criminal Enforcement Detail – M.R. Lowery,. J.L. Matthews, N.G. Parks, K.S. Cole, G.I. Cofer and J.W. Burroughs.