Ordinarily coinciding with National Police Week is the awarding of medals, ribbons, plaques, commendations, and bragging rights for first responders who have notably gone above and beyond in various ways during duty.
In a climate oozing with wrongly placed anti-police sentiment and unabated violence aimed at law enforcement officers, all first responders deserve recognition and accolades for stepping up and forging forward in increasingly treacherous times.
However, police entities traditionally put “top cop” voting to peers, culminating in Officer of the Year honors and all its inherent limelight for the chosen law enforcement officer(s).
OOTY Awards
Officer of the Year (OOTY) awards are bestowed after respective agencies comb through their sworn personnel’s good deeds and cull one deemed the most phenomenal. In this process, pretty much all police employees are accorded the opportunity to vote. Clandestine polling ensues, formally on paper, with submissions by all sworn and non-sworn personnel pooled by a certain date.
Police executives gather and pick one from the bunch after a majority vote is formalized. Ultimately, the selected Officer of the Year is made possible by the altruistic notions of police peers. Pretty nifty gesture in a hugely hazardous profession fulfilled by roughly 850,000 cops safeguarding approximately 333 million citizens! (Some police departments supplement police peer votes with compliments paid by citizens regarding stellar police service.)
(Photo courtesy of the Columbus Division of Police.)
The officer of the year gets to wear that badge of honor for the entire year. The process repeats, annually.
Ordinarily, OOTY names/dates are etched in metal and added to an ever-growing large plaque, along with the officer’s photo in uniform, and infinitely affixed to a wall at police HQ for the public’s eyes to behold.
Soon thereafter receiving the OOTY award and throughout the remainder of the year, title holders are interviewed by local news stations and print media reporters. As well, area civic groups honor the local OOTY by holding celebratory events during which their custom-made award is given, often served with catered food and recorded by professional videographers.
Special Duty Awards
Law enforcement agencies sometimes expand awarding based on specialty duties: standout Detective, SWAT Operator, Crime Scene Tech, etc.
In tandem with the Pinellas County Schools Police Department, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office recognizes someone that they feel is a standout School Resource Officer of the Year.
As anyone can imagine, the SRO role is chock-full of challenges and requires a chameleon-like persona to maintain interpersonal skills with myriad youngsters from varying cultures and backgrounds, all while upholding safety and security. Everyone knows the stark reality of active-shooter potential.
(Photo courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.)
“Last week Deputy Robert Livernois was awarded School Resource Officer/Deputy of the Year by the Pinellas County Schools Police.
“Deputy Livernois, pictured center, was recognized for his calm and soothing presence and is described as a perfect fit for the students and works extremely well with all [whom] he comes in contact.”
The SROs with whom I worked often stated how off-duty time is largely spent on decompressing. I bet teachers share the ideal post-shift personal time. It’s difficult but rewarding.
Demographic Recognition
Every cop pays due diligence to all demographics in their jurisdictional domain, often having a sweet spot for one in particular, usually based on prior work experience or life circumstance which magnetizes their time and devotion to a certain demographic.
For example, a cop with the Newport, Rhode Island police force was bestowed honors by a local seniors’ group in her scope of patrol.
Recently, Community Police Officer Merrie Scott was granted the “2023 Champion for Seniors Award” and “recognized for her outstanding work and commitment to the seniors of the City of Newport.”
(Photo courtesy of the Newport Police Department.)
The results of parlaying professional police services materialize in highly personal tributes in the form of custom-crafted trophies or plaques or engraved crystal pieces for the mantle. The facial expression of Officer Scott illustrates modesty seasoned with oath fulfillment.
Goin’ Batty
Sometimes the best cop in a certain facet hits it outta the park and receives recognition for their efforts.
In this case, a personalized Louisville slugger was handed to Officer Vander Laan by the administration of the University of Kentucky Police Department, after catching the attention of a state government agency for his safety-disciplined efforts.
“Congratulations to Officer Vander Laan for receiving the highway safety all-star award from the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety. Officer Vander Laan has made a huge impact in our community keeping the roads clear of drunk drivers.”
(Photo courtesy of the University of Kentucky Police Department.)
Although that bat won’t fit in a shadow box, it will look dandy on a wall.
Similarly, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) also acknowledges local cops in their chapter area, specifically those whose diligence invested in sleuthing DUIs and saving lives. The MADD organization rolls out ample respect for LEOs who dedicate much of their police careers to DUI enforcement. MADD events are hugely attended by loved ones who were lost due to DUI tragedies.
The officer’s honor comes with bittersweet testimonies. The way cops think, these somber testimonies from surviving family members are influencers for street cops to further concentrate on eradicating the scourge of inebriated motor vehicle operators.
We illustrated a few of many awards for first responders serving citizens and stewarding public safety at significant risk to themselves…for which honorary awards are deserved and recipients are celebrated.