Tennessee Law Enforcement Agencies Earn Statewide, National Honors

Nashville, TN – Governor Phil Bredesen and Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely today released the winners of state and national honors presented by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO). Law enforcement agencies from across Tennessee gathered at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville to honor their colleagues during the third annual Law Enforcement Challenge Awards Ceremony.

A total of thirty-nine awards were presented honoring the “best of the best” traffic safety programs in the state. Nationally, Tennessee agencies earned ten top honors. Regardless of type or size, all of the agencies that applied were considered for these awards.

“This program recognizes the most outstanding efforts of our law enforcement agencies and officers across the state,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “Their good work deserves to be honored and rewarded as these dedicated public servants continue to risk their lives for the good of their communities.”

The Law Enforcement Challenge is an annual competition designed to recognize and reward the best overall traffic safety programs across the state and across the country as judged by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Similar sizes and types of agencies are judged on their local efforts to enforce laws and educate the public about the dangers of driving impaired and speeding as well as the importance of occupant protection. The 28 winning safety programs combined officer training, public information and enforcement to reduce crashes and injuries within their jurisdictions.

“The National Law Enforcement Challenge challenges law enforcement agencies to set comprehensive goals, strive to reach new heights, and share their experiences,” said Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “These efforts help make Tennessee roads safer and through both education and enforcement efforts help foster better drivers.”

GHSO Director Kendell Poole reminded the group of law enforcement representatives that there are no losers in this competition, “All of you here today are winners. Each day, you work to save lives and reduce the frequency and severity of injuries on our highways. The awards presented today illustrate not only the achievements made in highway safety but our appreciation for your work.”

Click here to view a list of state and national winners. (PDF)