FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec 15, 2021
LAW Publications Announces Inaugural Community Engagement Award Winners
Carrollton, TX -- LAW Publications is proud to introduce additional winners as part of the inaugural Community Engagement Awards. These awards recognize the creative efforts of law enforcement agencies across the country in connecting with their communities to make them safer places.
These winners are:
- Community Spirit Award - Grafton Police Department (WI)
- Excellence in Collaboration Award - Parsons Police Department (KS)
- Community Impact Award - Mt. Vernon Police Department (OH)
- College Department of the Year - Georgia Tech Police Department (GA)
Grafton Police Department, located in Grafton, Wisconsin, is recognized as the winner of the “Community Spirit Award.” The department demonstrated an ability to connect with a variety of local organizations and a uniqueness and creativity in the way they build relationships both with those organizations and members of their community. Whether it’s through the local Parks and Recreation Department, Lions Club, American Legion, Pastoral Alliance, or independent programs like “Coffee with a Cop,” this department truly personifies the spirit behind our belief that strong connections make safer communities.
“The members of the Grafton Police Department place great emphasis on our mission to provide law enforcement services with compassion, accountability, respect, and empathy (C.A.R.E.). The community programs we use are designed to help our agency make daily deposits in our bank of public trust. We have a moral obligation to provide a high level of service to every segment of our community; the mindset of law and order policing no longer works. In order for us to serve, we must engage,” said Grafton Chief of Police Jeff Caponera. “On behalf of the great men and women of the Grafton Police Department, I would like to thank LAW Publications for this esteemed award.”
Parsons Police Department, located in Parsons, Kansas, is awarded the “Excellence in Collaboration” Award. This award is to recognize the depth and breadth of the internal and external initiatives the department is undertaking to connect with not just their local community but in connecting with nearby law enforcement agencies as well. The variety of tactics and programs the department uses to reach the community, while also working on bringing in nearby departments, demonstrated a meritorious level of collaboration. LAW Publications believes that collaboration is a cornerstone of strong communities, and Parsons Police Department exemplifies a similar dedication.
“The Parsons Police Department is indescribably honored to be selected for this year’s Excellence in Collaboration Award. This award validates all of the hard work and effort that our department staff pours into our programs. This may be quite honestly one of the most humbling awards we have received,” according to Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks. “We, as an agency, have worked hard to involve our great community and develop a level of transparency that the citizens and our staff can both feel good about. The community collaboration and partnership that we have established is only the beginning of our evolution to become one of the leaders in Kansas policing. Our programs are significant stepping stones in rural Kansas and we are ecstatic to be recognized for our efforts in leading the charge in our region and our great City of Parsons,” finished Spinks.
Mt. Vernon Police Department, from Mt. Vernon, Ohio, is recognized with the “Community Impact Award” for 2021. In particular, the PAK-United program demonstrates a unique way to make a truly lasting positive impact on the community. The program connects officers and kids in outdoor activities, such as kickball, geocaching, and other positive activities. This program, along with the creation of a “Community Advocacy Resource Director” position within the department to focus on officer well-being, demonstrates the department’s dedication to finding creative solutions that deliver real impacts.
Mt. Vernon Chief of Police Robert Morgan said of the award, “We are honored by this recognition as we continue to strengthen our connections with community partners and work together with our citizens to build the best community possible. This award comes as a result of the efforts of our dedicated officers and the supportive citizens we serve. We are proud of the ongoing partnerships between our organization and the community and this is another reminder of just how healthy and unique the relationships are between our officers and the citizens we serve. We are looking forward to future collaborations to create innovative new programs and be a model for other communities.”
The Georgia Tech Police Department in Atlanta, Georgia, is recognized as our 2021 College Department of the Year. The department coordinates events such as “Cocoa with the POPO” and has established an “Adopt-a-Cop” program to connect with business and student organizations as a means to bridge the community and allow individuals to see “beyond the badge.” The department has also organized a care package drive for homeless individuals in their area for each of the past five years.
“Our outreach allows us an opportunity to develop and foster positive relations between the community and GTPD through education and engagement,” said Sergeant Jessica Howard. “I believe giving people the opportunity to engage with officers in their community will allow them the chance to see beyond the badge. Police are human too and we enjoy the interactions just as much! We extend outreach from administrator positions to the officers in the field which ultimately brings better understanding and builds long lasting, effective positive relationships.”
Nominations for the awards were digitally submitted to LAW Publications and selected by a “selection committee” of staff members. Additional category winners will be announced throughout the month of December. Visit www.lawpublications.net or our Facebook or LinkedIn profiles to follow future announcements and learn more about the awards.
About LAW Publications: LAW Publications has been dedicated to supporting law enforcement community engagement and education efforts for over forty years. Partnering with over 500 agencies and almost 10,000 local businesses across the country, we provide industry leading educational materials to help build safer communities. Visit www.lawpublications.net to learn more.
ALVIN DOMINIQUE III
LAW PUBLICATIONS
972-387-4733 x111
adominique@lawpublications.net
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