Seven members of the Bellefontaine Police Department received accolades at Thursday evening’s eighth annual Awards Banquet.
Kim Tackett, event coordinator and dispatcher, said the evening was about recognition and appreciation.
“Tonight is an event to recognize our employees and allow them an evening of fellowship,” she said. “It’s important to recognize the hard work that they do and to let them know they’re valued by the community and their peers … The Important part of the event is letting them know they’re appreciated.”
Brandon Standley, police chief, echoed Tackett’s sentiment.
“Tonight we’re proud to honor several members of the police department for their outstanding work over the past few months,” he said. “Each year we do this to recognize those who stood out and are nominated by their peers. For us it’s always important to take time out and choose employees who have done something above and beyond and took the attention of their own peers.”
Standley added that it’s also important for the community to recognize the police department as a whole.
“We are out there working hard and events like tonight are great examples and a great representation of what we do.”
Monica Moll, guest speaker and Ohio State University public safety director, said she was happy to see officers getting awarded.
“It’s the little things you do everyday,” she said.
Award winners included: Special Commendation officers Seth Chambers and Jason Boy; Medal of Merit Officer Nate Wise and Detective Dwight Salyer; American Legion Harold Kerr Post 173 awardee Greg Van Buskirk; Dispatcher of the Year Nikki Chambers; and Officer of the Year Tanner Peterson.
Fifteen officers and five dispatchers were nominated for awards this year.
The awards are not decided by Standley, but by a committee that ensures the right awards go to the right people.
“It’s just an honor to be nominated by my peers,” said Dispatcher of the Year Nikki Chambers.
And Tim Shaw, American Legion Post Commander, said the community has gratitude for all the work from the police department.
“It’s a lot of hard work and dedication and sacrifice that they do,” he said.