Tennessee Law Enforcement Agencies Earn Statewide, National Honors

Friday, August 28, 2009 | 10:06am
 Awards Recognize 55 Agencies Across State
 
NASHVILLE –The Tennessee Department of Transportation Governor’s Highway Safety Office today announced the winners of the 5th Annual Law Enforcement Challenge.  The Law Enforcement Challenge is presented to law enforcement agencies across the state by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office. It recognizes outstanding performances by law enforcement agencies and officers from across the state.
 
“From child passenger safety to impaired driving campaigns, police agencies across Tennessee utilize a wide variety of programs to increase safety in their communities,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “Their dedication saves countless lives each year and this recognition both by the state and nation.”
 
A total of 55 awards were presented during a ceremony at the Music City Sheraton Hotel in Nashville on August 28. Nationally, Tennessee agencies earned five top honors. Regardless of type or size, all of the agencies that applied were considered for these awards.

 
“The National Law Enforcement Challenge honors the good work of our police agencies,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “It also provides an incentive for law enforcement agencies to reach new heights, set comprehensive goals, and to share their experiences. These enforcement and education efforts help make our roads safer and help improve the driving habits of Tennessee motorists.”
 
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 thirty-one winning safety programs combined officer training, public information and enforcement to reduce crashes and injuries within their jurisdictions.
 
GHSO Director Kendell Poole reminded the group of law enforcement representatives that there are no losers in this competition, “Everyone here today is a winner. Each day, the law enforcement officers in Tennessee 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.”
 
A list of state and national winners is attached to this release.
 
For more information about TDOT’s Governor’s Highway Safety Office, go the to TDOT web site at www.state.tn.us/tdot.
 
National Challenge Winners:
 
Municipal 1 -8 Officers                    Middleton Police Department                    3rd Place
Sheriff’s 1 – 20 Officers                  Lauderdale Co. Sheriff’s Office                1st Place
Sheriff’s 1 – 20 Officers                  Hardin Co. Sheriff’s Office                         3rd Place
Municipal 36-45 Officers                Crossville Police Department                    1st Place
Municipal 36-45 Officers                Union City Police Department                  3rd Place
Sheriff’s 31-50 Officers                   Fayette Co. Sheriff’s Office                                    1st Place (tie)
Sheriff’s 31-50 Officers                   Tipton Co. Sheriff’s Office                          1st Place (tie)
Municipal 66-100 Officers              Cookeville Police Department                   2nd Place
Municipal 101-250 Officers                        Franklin Police Department                       3rd Place
Sheriff’s 401–1,000 Officers          Shelby Co. Sheriff’s Office                                    3rd Place
State Police 501-1,000 Officers     Tennessee Highway Patrol                                   2nd Place
Military Police                                   Fort Campbell                                               3rd Place
Multi-Jurisdictional                          Cumberland Region Networks                 1st Place
Multi-Jurisdictional                          C.A.R.E. Network                                         3rd Place
Commercial Motor Vehicle                        Tennessee Highway Patrol
 
State Challenge Winners:
 
Category 1-10 Officers
3rd Place        Estill Springs Police Department
2nd Place        Dover Police Department
1st Place         Middleton Police Department
 
Category 11-25 Officers
3rd Place        Bolivar Police Department
2nd Place        Hardin County Sheriff’s Office
1st Place         Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office
 
Category 26-50 Officers
3rd Place        Brownsville Police Department
2nd Place        Martin Police Department
1st Place         Crossville Police Department
 
Category 51-100 Officers
3rd Place        Brentwood Police Department
2nd Place        Gallatin Police Department
1st Place         Cookeville Police Department
 
Category 101-250 Officers
3rd Place        Johnson City Police Department
2nd Place        Bartlett Police Department
1st Place         Franklin Police Department
 
Category 251-500 Officers
2nd Place        Chattanooga Police Department
1st Place         Knoxville Police Department
 
Category 501-1,000 Officers
1st Place         Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
 
Category 1,001-2,000 Officers
1st Place         Metro-Nashville Police Department
 
Category 2,001 or more Officers
1st Place         Memphis Police Department
 
Category TN Highway Patrol Districts
3rd Place -      District 4 Memphis
2nd Place        District 7 Lawrenceburg
1st Place         District 5 Fall Branch
 
Category Multi-Jurisdictional
2nd Place        CARE Network
1st Place         Cumberland Region Networks
 
Category Military Police
1st Place         Fort Campbell
 
Category Universities
3rd Place        University of the South
2nd Place        University of Tennessee at Martin
1st Place         East Tennessee State University
 
Special Category Awards:
Rookie of the Year                            Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office
Occupant Protection                       Gallatin Police Department
Impaired Driving                              Crossville Police Department
Speed Awareness                           Cookeville Police Department
Child Passenger Safety                 Cookeville Police Department
Underage Alcohol Prevention       Benton Police Department
Technology Award                          Gallatin Police Department
Bicycle / Pedestrian Award                        Gallatin Police Department
Commercial Motor Vehicle                        Knoxville Police Department
Motorcycle Safety Award                Alcoa Police Department
                                        
Director’s Cup                                  Cookeville Police Department
Challenge Championship             Benton Police Department
 
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