Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

BOISE – The United States Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshal Service for the District of Idaho on Wednesday night presented 14 local law enforcement officers with its “Excellence in Community Policing Awards,” as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Community Policing Week. The awards recognize commitment and excelling in community policing, helping community members live lives of safety, opportunity and purpose.

 

“These fourteen law enforcement officers represent the best of policing and the commitment that their agencies have to working together to develop positive and lasting relationships between law enforcement officers and the communities we serve,” said Wendy J. Olson, U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho. “We are pleased to be able to highlight for the entire Treasure Valley the great work these officers do.”

 

“Strengthening the relationship between law enforcement officers and the communities we serve and protect is one of the top priorities of the Department of Justice and for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Idaho,” said Olson, “The purpose of National Community Policing Week and of our forum at the College of Western Idaho is to foster dialogue, promote cooperation, and help citizens and law enforcement officers get to know one another as partners in our shared efforts to build stronger, safer, and more just communities for every American.”

 

Community policing is a public safety philosophy based on partnership and cooperation between law enforcement and the communities that they are sworn to protect and serve. At the 2 center of community policing is the idea that all members of the community, both officer and civilian, have a stake in the safety of their neighborhoods where they live and work.

 

The fourteen officers recognized are:

 

Boise Police Officer Dan Lister, liaison officer for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. Officer Lister is recognized for his work breaking barriers, improving communication and developing a partnership so that law enforcement can better serve the LGBT community, and, in turn, the entire community.

 

Boise Police Corporal Brek Orton. Corporal Orton is recognized for his significant community outreach to students, staff and visitors at Boise State University. Among his community outreach programs is the “Red Shirt Ride-along” program, which teaches first-year athletes at Boise State about the real-life realities of policing in Boise.

 

The eleven officers of the Meridian Police Department School Resource Officer program:

Sergeant Shawn Harper, supervisor

Officer Ray Ellis

Officer Bobby Allison

Officer Leroy Sunada

Officer Dave Gomez

Officer Ryan Rhodes

Officer Mark Payne

Officer Arnel Catic

Officer Courtney Dozier

Officer Greg Kortan

Officer Kirk York

 

These officers are recognized for their work in Meridian middle schools and high schools. In addition to their daily duties of problem-solving at schools, these SROs donate their time to other community activities such as Shop with a Cop.

 

ATF Special Agent Ralph Lambright. Special Agent Lambright, an expert in firearms and explosives, is recognized for his outreach at schools and community events where he educates members of the public on the dangers of explosive devices.

“We are fortunate in Idaho to have outstanding community policing efforts at every level of law enforcement,” said U.S. Marshal for the District of Idaho Brian T. Underwood. “These outstanding officers have demonstrated a commitment to working with community members and making their neighborhoods and their schools safer and stronger. The U.S. Department of Justice and its law enforcement agencies are proud to recognize these officers’ excellence in community policing.”