October 26, 2015
Police Go Above and Beyond to Serve Communities
Motorola Solutions and IACP announce recipients of 2015 Webber Seavey award for policing excellence
The 2015 IACP-Motorola Solutions Webber Seavey Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement will be presented at 10 a.m. today during the IACP Annual Conference first general assembly to the Leesburg, Virginia Police Department; Vancouver, British Columbia Police Department; and the Waterloo, Ontario Regional Police Service.
“These three law enforcement agencies have gone the extra mile to improve the quality of life in each of their communities,” said John Zidar, vice president, Motorola Solutions. “Recipients of this award are held in high esteem as exemplary models of effective law enforcement programs that can be mirrored by agencies from around the globe.”
Leesburg, Virginia Police Department: Organized Retail Crime
Using evidence-based policing, the department identified an increase in organized shoplifting and losses exceeding those reported to law enforcement. Using a three-prong approach including high-visibility patrols, education and theft prevention operations, Leesburg has experienced a sustained reduction in organized retail crime, and an increase in the reporting of shoplifting and associated losses.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Police Department: Assertive Outreach Team
In part of the city’s downtown area, 3 percent of the population accounted for 25 percent of all reported mental health calls to the department. Both health and police data highlighted that residents with repeated admission to hospital emergency departments also had increased interactions with police prior to obtaining treatment. To address these issues, police officers teamed up with nurses and other healthcare professionals to transition residents from local emergency departments to appropriate community services. As a result of their efforts, there has been a 77 percent reduction in violent offences by these residents.
Waterloo Regional Police Service, Ontario, Canada: Connectivity Waterloo Region
More than 80 percent of calls for service in the Waterloo Region are non-criminal in nature and are about residents impacted by poverty, addiction and mental health issues. To address these calls, the Waterloo Regional Police Service created an early-intervention program with multiple agencies to connect high-risk individuals and families to services and support within 24 to 48 hours. Since implementation, 139 individuals and families have been connected with the right service professionals to help meet their needs, and there has been a significant reduction in the repeated use of expensive emergency and crisis response services.
"We're proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of the three winners of this year's IACP-Motorola Solutions Webber Seavey Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement," said IACP’s President, University of Central Florida Police Chief Richard Beary. "The IACP-Motorola Solutions Webber Seavey Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement exemplifies the best qualities of public servants – identifying a need in the community and taking action to address it.”
About the IACP
The International Association of Chiefs of Police is the world’s largest association of law enforcement executives. With over 25,000 members in more than 121 countries, the IACP serves as the professional voice of law enforcement. Building on their past success, the IACP addresses cutting edge issues confronting law enforcement through advocacy, programs and research, as well as training and other professional services. IACP is a comprehensive professional organization that supports the law enforcement leaders of today and develops the leaders of tomorrow.
About Motorola Solutions
Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) creates innovative, mission-critical communication solutions and services that help public safety and commercial customers build safer cities and thriving communities. For ongoing news, visit http://www.motorolasolutions.com/newsroom .
- Three police departments from Canada and the United States are recognized for innovative programs that have improved community services
- Awards to be presented today at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference in Chicago
The 2015 IACP-Motorola Solutions Webber Seavey Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement will be presented at 10 a.m. today during the IACP Annual Conference first general assembly to the Leesburg, Virginia Police Department; Vancouver, British Columbia Police Department; and the Waterloo, Ontario Regional Police Service.
“These three law enforcement agencies have gone the extra mile to improve the quality of life in each of their communities,” said John Zidar, vice president, Motorola Solutions. “Recipients of this award are held in high esteem as exemplary models of effective law enforcement programs that can be mirrored by agencies from around the globe.”
Leesburg, Virginia Police Department: Organized Retail Crime
Using evidence-based policing, the department identified an increase in organized shoplifting and losses exceeding those reported to law enforcement. Using a three-prong approach including high-visibility patrols, education and theft prevention operations, Leesburg has experienced a sustained reduction in organized retail crime, and an increase in the reporting of shoplifting and associated losses.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Police Department: Assertive Outreach Team
In part of the city’s downtown area, 3 percent of the population accounted for 25 percent of all reported mental health calls to the department. Both health and police data highlighted that residents with repeated admission to hospital emergency departments also had increased interactions with police prior to obtaining treatment. To address these issues, police officers teamed up with nurses and other healthcare professionals to transition residents from local emergency departments to appropriate community services. As a result of their efforts, there has been a 77 percent reduction in violent offences by these residents.
Waterloo Regional Police Service, Ontario, Canada: Connectivity Waterloo Region
More than 80 percent of calls for service in the Waterloo Region are non-criminal in nature and are about residents impacted by poverty, addiction and mental health issues. To address these calls, the Waterloo Regional Police Service created an early-intervention program with multiple agencies to connect high-risk individuals and families to services and support within 24 to 48 hours. Since implementation, 139 individuals and families have been connected with the right service professionals to help meet their needs, and there has been a significant reduction in the repeated use of expensive emergency and crisis response services.
"We're proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of the three winners of this year's IACP-Motorola Solutions Webber Seavey Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement," said IACP’s President, University of Central Florida Police Chief Richard Beary. "The IACP-Motorola Solutions Webber Seavey Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement exemplifies the best qualities of public servants – identifying a need in the community and taking action to address it.”
About the IACP
The International Association of Chiefs of Police is the world’s largest association of law enforcement executives. With over 25,000 members in more than 121 countries, the IACP serves as the professional voice of law enforcement. Building on their past success, the IACP addresses cutting edge issues confronting law enforcement through advocacy, programs and research, as well as training and other professional services. IACP is a comprehensive professional organization that supports the law enforcement leaders of today and develops the leaders of tomorrow.
About Motorola Solutions
Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) creates innovative, mission-critical communication solutions and services that help public safety and commercial customers build safer cities and thriving communities. For ongoing news, visit http://www.motorolasolutions.com/newsroom .