FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 9, 2006
For more information:
Jim Shuler, GOHS Public Affairs
404-656-6996 or 888-420-0767
GOHS HONORS GEORGIA’S TOP COPS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT EXCELLENCE
(ATLANTA) More than 500 traffic enforcement officers, highway safety advocates, and elected officials heard the Deputy Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol present this year’s keynote address at the 6th Annual Governor’s Challenge Awards at the Georgia International Convention Center. Every year, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) presents this prestigious awards event to recognize the outstanding performance and dedication of Georgia’s law enforcement agencies.
“Your high-profile sobriety road-checks and concentrated patrols are most definitely having a life-saving effect,” said California Highway Patrol Deputy Commissioner Joe Farrow as he addressed police, deputies and state troopers from around the state of Georgia. “Today, you’re being honored for the job you do every day, saving the lives of fellow Georgians each time you send an impaired driver to jail and each time you write a speeding ticket.. And especially when you cite drivers for unbuckled safety belts. Thank you for keeping your roadways and communities safe.”
“We are proud to have CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow as our keynote speaker this year and equally proud of the selfless, life-saving efforts of Georgia’s law enforcement community,” said Director Bob Dallas of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
The Governor’s Challenge is a GOHS incentive program designed to award outstanding achievements in both highway safety enforcement and education. Georgia law enforcement agencies are judged on both the approach and effectiveness of their overall highway safety programs. Agencies are evaluated not just for enforcement initiatives, but for innovative problem solving programs in their communities. The judging also examines how local agencies adapt their public information activities and create departmental policies to support their traffic enforcement campaign efforts. Here are some highlights:
The law enforcement agency with the highest overall evaluation each year is presented with the “Governor’s Cup.” The winner of the 2005 Governor’s Cup is the Georgia State Patrol Troop B with a score of 155 out of a possible 195. Chief Joel Cochran at the Tennille Police Department, was the winner of the Governor’s Challenge Grand Prize, a fully equipped police pursuit package, 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe, Governor’s Challenge Vehicle.
The Rookie of the Year Award is presented to the agency with the highest overall score of first time entries. The Rookie of the Year Award went to the Cornelia Police Department with a score of 125.50 out of a possible 195. GOHS received a total of 63 applications from participating Georgia law enforcement agencies this year. All applications are forwarded to the International Association of Chiefs of Police for independent judging. Thirty-one Georgia agencies were recognized for their excellence during the 2006 Governor’s Challenge Awards Banquet.
(PAGE TWO)
“The Annual Governor’s Challenge Awards recognize the dedication of these officers to increase safety belt use, slow down speeders and reduce impaired and aggressive driving,” said GOHS Director Bob Dallas. “We congratulate these 2006 winning agencies.”
2006 Governor’s Challenge Awards List
Georgia Placement by Category
Agency
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Georgia Class
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Georgia Rank
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Class 1
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Pembroke Police Department
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Class 1
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1st Place
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Hahira Police Department
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Class 1
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2nd Place
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Tennille Police
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Class 1
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3rd Place
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Class 2
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Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Lavonia Police Department
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Class 2
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1st Place
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Hartwell Police Department
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Class 2
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2nd Place
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Adel Police Department
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Class 2
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3rd Place
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Class 3
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Tift County Sheriff's Office
Elbert County Sheriff’s Office
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Class 3
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1st Place
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Sumter County Sheriff’s Office
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Class 3
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2nd Place
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|
Snellville Police Department
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Class 3
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3rd Place
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|
|
|
|
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Class 4
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Smyrna Police Department
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Class 4
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1st Place
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Dalton Police Department
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Class 4
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2nd Place
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Peachtree City Police Department
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Class 4
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3rd Place
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Class 5
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Forsyth County Sheriff's Office
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Class 5
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1st Place
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Coweta County Sheriff’s Department
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Class 5
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2nd Place
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Clayton County Police Department
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Class 5
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3rd Place
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|
|
|
|
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Class 7
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Atlanta Police Department
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Class 7
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1st Place
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Dekalb County Police
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Class 7
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2nd Place
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Class 8
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Georgia State University Police Department
Georgia Southern University Police Department
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Class 8
Class 8
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1st Place
2nd Place
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GSP Troop
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Georgia State Patrol Troop B
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Georgia State Patrol
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1st Place
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Georgia State Patrol Troop J
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Georgia State Patrol
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2nd Place
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Georgia State Patrol Troop G
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Georgia State Patrol
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3rd Place
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Traffic Enforcement Network
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Coastal Area Traffic Enforcement Network
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Traffic Enf. Network
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1st Place
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Mountain Area Traffic Enforcement Network
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Traffic Enf. Network
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2nd Place
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Southern Regional Traffic Enforcement Network
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Traffic Enf. Network
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3rd Place
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Traffic Enforcement Network Award – This award is given to a network that displays exceptional leadership and excels at promoting the mission of the Traffic Enforcement Networks, through team building of law enforcement agencies within their region as well as the development of innovative approaches to highway safety: Coastal Area Traffic Enforcement Network, Coordinator Capt. Luther Hires, Jesup PD & Asst. Coordinator BJ Kennedy-Leopold, GSP.
In addition to the agency awards, ten Special Awards were presented covering major fields of traffic safety and areas of awareness, prevention, protection and enforcement. The following are the winners of the 2006 Governor’s Challenge Special Awards:
Agency
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Georgia Special Category
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Pembroke Police Department
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Underage Alcohol Prevention
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Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Georgia State Patrol HEAT-NIGHTHAWKS
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Impaired Driving Awareness
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Tift County Sheriff’s Office
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Occupant Protection Program
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Adel Police Department
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Speed Awareness Program
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Elbert County Sheriff’s Office
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Child Passenger Safety Program
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Cornelia Police Department
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Rookie of the Year
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Alpharetta Police Department
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Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
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Atlanta Police Department
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Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety
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Valdosta Police Department
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Technology Award
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Governor’s Cup
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GSP Troop B
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|
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(MORE MORE MORE)
(PAGE FOUR)
Underage Alcohol Prevention Award- Presented to an agency for making notable efforts in addressing the problem of underage drinking and address the problem of impaired driving by those under the legal drinking age: Pembroke Police Department, Chief William Collins.
Impaired Driving Awareness Award- Presented to an agency making notable efforts in addressing the problem of impaired driving: Franklin Co. Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Steve Thomas and the Georgia State Patrol H.E.A.T. “NightHawks” Unit, GSP Colonel Bill Hitchens.
Occupant Protection Award- Presented to the agency that demonstrates outstanding efforts to promote and enforce occupant protection laws: Tift County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Gary Vowell.
Speed Awareness Award- Presented to an agency making notable efforts in addressing the problem of speeding: Adel Police Department, Chief Bill Butler.
Child Passenger Safety Award- Presented to the agency that demonstrates outstanding efforts to enforce and promote child passenger safety in their community: Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Barry Haston.
Rookie Of The Year Award- Presented to the agency that is a first time entry into the Governor’s Challenge with the highest score. All entries are considered regardless of category. Cornelia Police Department, Chief Frank Andrews.
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement- Presented to an agency that demonstrate notable efforts to promote and enforce occupant protection laws and overall comprehensive education and enforcement programs for commercial vehicles: Alpharetta Police Department, Chief Gary George.
Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Award- Presented to an agency that demonstrates notable efforts to promote and enforce bicycle and/or pedestrian laws.
1st Place- Atlanta Police Department Chief Richard Pennington
Technology Award- Presented to an agency making notable efforts in addressing traffic safety concerns using new and/or innovative technology: Valdosta Police Department, Chief Frank Simons.
(MORE MORE MORE)
(PAGE FIVE)
Last year, IACP judges considered 360 national entries from 29 states and Georgia was honored to have ten National winners in the IACP Nat’l Law Enforcement Challenge. This year, six winning agencies from Georgia’s Governor’s Challenge Event earned national recognition from the International Association of Chief’s of Police (IACP).
National Winners
2006 IACP Law Enforcement Challenge
Taylor County Sheriff’s Office
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Sheriff’s Office Class 1
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2nd Place
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Franklin County Sheriff's Office
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Sheriff’s Office Class 2
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2nd Place
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Tift County Sheriff's Office
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Sheriff’s Office Class 3
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2nd Place
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Elbert County Sheriff's Office
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Sheriff’s Office Class 3
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2nd Place
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Department of Public Safety
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State Police 3
|
2nd Place
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National Special Categories
In National Special Categories, the Georgia State Patrol-GOHS HEAT Team “Nighthawks” received the Impaired Driving Awareness Award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Challenge.
2006 IACP Law Enforcement Challenge
Georgia State Patrol –GOHS HEAT Team “Nighthawks”
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Impaired Driving Awareness Award
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“Participation in campaigns such as Click It Or Ticket, Operation Zero Tolerance, and the 100 Days of Summer HEAT has proven that high-visibility enforcement of Georgia’s traffic laws is the key to saving lives and reducing injuries on Georgia’s highways. Through these ongoing GOHS initiatives, Georgia law enforcement agencies are accustomed to working together daily to promote traffic safety,” said GOHS Director Bob Dallas. Dallas told members of GATEN (Georgia Traffic Enforcement Network), “Thank you for your service to your communities. I am proud of the way you have represented Georgia. You make us all proud. I know that once again this year, you are motivated and qualified to meet the Governor’s Challenge.”
(END RELEASE)
Governor’s Office of Highway Safety
34 Peachtree Street—Suite 800—One Park Tower—Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Visit us on the web at www.georgiahighwaysafety.org
Sonny Perdue, Governor Robert F. Dallas, Director
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