Awards: Public Safety
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Police Department Earns Initial Accreditation from Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC)
Following an intensive on-site assessment in April 2019, the Arlington County Police Department has received its Initial Accreditation from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC). During the accreditation process, the Department evaluated all of its policies and procedures and collected more than 500 proofs in order to demonstrate compliance with the standards published in the Virginia Law Enforcement Program Accreditation Manual. Following the on-site assessment, the assessors presented their findings to the Commission and recommended that ACPD be granted its Initial Accreditation status. The Department’s Initial Accreditation is valid for a term of four years, at which point the agency will pursue re-accreditation.
Arlington County Police Receive Top Award in the 2019 Virginia Law Enforcement Challenge
ACPD received top honors in the Municipal 5: 301-600 Officers Category in the 2019 Virginia Law Enforcement Challenge Awards. The awards are based on entries prepared by participating law enforcement agencies across Virginia which highlight their traffic safety education and enforcement activities in the areas of occupant protection, impaired driving and speed over the past calendar year. Judges award points to the agencies in the six areas that comprise a comprehensive traffic safety program: problem identification, policies, planning, training of officers, public information and education, enforcement, and an evaluation of the outcomes of the agency’s efforts.
Arlington Restaurant Initiative Receives Recognition for Advancements in Reducing Impaired Driving
Master Police Officer D. Mastoras received the 2019 Kevin E. Quinlan Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety by the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org). The award recognizes a select few people across the nation for their leadership in the fight against drunk driving and underage drinking. MPO Mastoras established the Arlington Restaurant Initiative, a collaborative program between business and government agencies dedicated to improving nightlife safety while reducing alcohol-related crime throughout the County.
County Wins State Award for Collaborative Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Effort
The County won the 2019 Governor’s Transportation Safety Award in the category of Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety at the 2019 Virginia Highway Summit. The award recognizes the collaborative efforts of ACPD, DES Transportation Engineering and Operations, Bike Arlington, Walk Arlington, the Bicycle Advisory Commission and the Pedestrian Advisory Commission on the development and implementation of a multi-faceted plan to reduce pedestrian and bicycle-involved crashes in Arlington County. (2019)
Arlington Restaurant Initiative Receives Regional Recognition
ACPD’s initiative to increase nightlife safety in the County was recognized by the NOVA Chamber of Commerce at their annual Outstanding Corporate Citizen Awards, earning 2nd Place in the Public Sector Partner of the Year category. The department also earned a WRAPPY Law Enforcement Award from the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) for the initiative’s contributions to reducing DUIs. (2018)
ACPD Recognized by Telly Awards for Excellence in Video
Three promotional or informational videos by ACPD, in conjunction with Tri4 Productions, LLC, were selected as winners in the 39th annual Telly Awards. The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television and streaming networks, agencies, and production companies. (2018)
Governor Recognizes “Be the Help Until Help Arrives”
The Arlington County Fire Department’s (ACFD) Dr. Reed Smith received the Governor’s EMS Award for Physician with Outstanding Contribution to EMS. His work with ACFD, along with the Arlington County Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management, on the “Be the Help Until Help Arrives” training program has gained national attention. The training program empowers bystanders of violent events to provide lifesaving care in the immediate aftermath. (2018)
ECC Dispatcher Receives Governor’s EMS Award
Mindy Secrest received the award for outstanding contribution to EMS telecommunication. Secrest is a certified Emergency Medical Dispatcher in the County’s Emergency Communications Center and is a member of the ECC’s Critical Incident Stress Management and Traumatic Exposure Recovery Program Team. (2018)
Design Award for Fire Station No. 3
Arlington County Fire Department’s (ACFD) Station No. 3 was recognized with a Career Bronze Award from Firehouse magazine. This “state-of-the-art career facility (is) designed to serve as a model of sustainability while meeting the needs of a growing community.” (2015)
ACPD’s “Chooser Cruiser” Recognized with Governor’s Transportation Safety Award
The Commonwealth of Virginia bestowed its top Transportation Safety Award to the “Chooser Cruiser,” a joint project of ACPD, Red Top Cab, and WRAP (Washington Regional Alcohol Program) to help prevent drunk driving in the National Capital Region. (June 2013)
ACPD Named Best Traffic Safety Program in Virginia
The Arlington County Police Department was recognized with an award for the best traffic safety program in the state during 2011 at the 87th Annual Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP). Arlington earned a first place finish for a municipal Police Department with 301-450 sworn officers. (August 2012)