On Thursday, February 5, 2009 twenty-seven agencies were recognized for the excellent work they do in either commercial vehicle safety or traffic safety. The following provides a brief description of the award along with the names of the agencies who received the awards.

The annual Award for Excellence in Commercial Vehicle Safety recognizes law enforcement agencies for exceptional and innovative initiatives that target commercial vehicle operations and enhance traffic safety.

The award, sponsored by the Michigan State Police, Traffic Safety Division, and the Michigan Truck Safety Commission, were awarded for activities conducted in calendar year 2008.

The winning agencies in each category will be offered $6,000 grants to be used for the purchase of equipment.  Eligible equipment to purchase with grant funds includes: Portable scales, Digital camera, In-car video, 35 mm camera, Radar, Rechargeable flashlight, Laser speed measuring device, Height measuring stick or Laptop computer. In addition, the winner in each category received a plaque.

A panel of three judges consisting of one representative each from the MSP Traffic Safety Division, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the Michigan Truck Safety Commission, reviewed the nominations and selected winners in each category based upon merit. 

Winners for the 2008 Award for Excellence in Commercial Vehicle Safety were:

·         Royal Oak Police Department

·         Eaton County Sheriff Department

·         Michigan State Police Alpena Post

The Awards for Excellence in Traffic Safety program is a competition among similar sizes and types of law enforcement agencies. It recognizes and rewards the best overall traffic safety programs in the state.

Michigan’s program is compatible with the National Law Enforcement Challenge that is sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).  The areas of concentration include efforts to enforce laws and educate the public about occupant protection, impaired driving, and speeding. Departments submit an application that documents their agency's efforts and effectiveness in these areas. The winning safety programs are those that combine officer training, public information, and enforcement to reduce crashes and injuries.

Twenty-four Michigan law enforcement agencies earned the 2008 Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety from the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP), the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) and AAA Michigan. 

The award recognizes the outstanding commitment the winning law enforcement agencies have made in the previous year to overall traffic safety.  There are six categories (small to large) for local law enforcement agencies and one each for county sheriff offices and state police posts. 

A panel of four judges reviewed each application and assigned points based on established criteria. After the judging, the scores were averaged and a final score was assigned. After all of the applications were scored, the agencies were ranked in their categories. A minimum of 50 points had to be earned to receive recognition and be eligible for an award.

“AAA Michigan has been a proud co-sponsor with MACP and OHSP of this very important award for more than 30 years,” said Jack Peet, AAA Traffic Safety Manager.  The winning agencies received a display plaque from AAA Michigan commemorating their achievement.

In addition to the plaque up to $80,000 in grants will be awarded to be used for the purchase of equipment or overtime for traffic enforcement through the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP).   “The leadership and commitment by our state, county and local law enforcement is critical to addressing traffic safety issues in Michigan,” said Michael L. Prince, OHSP division director. 

The MACP will again this year send the state applications to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) National Law Enforcement Challenge.

Winners for the 2008 Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety were:

FIRST PLACE AWARDS

·         Dowagiac Police Department

·         Grand Haven Police Department

·         Lapeer Police Department

·         Michigan State Police, Third District Headquarters

·         Michigan State University  Police Department

·         Muskegon County Sheriff Department

·         South Rockwood Police Department

·         Troy Police Department

SECOND PLACE AWARDS

·         Michigan State Police, Iron River Post

·         Michigan State Police, Niles Post

·         Norton Shores Police Department

·         Novi Police Department

·         Oakland County Sheriff Department

·         St. Johns Police Department

·         Walker Police Department

THIRD PLACE AWARDS

·         Ingham County Sheriff Department

·         Memphis Police Department

·         Michigan State Police, Mt. Pleasant Post

·         Michigan State Police, Bridgman Post

·         Michigan State Police, Gladstone Post

·         Michigan State Police, Ionia Post

·         Michigan State Police, Jackson Post

·         Michigan State Police, Negaunee Post

·         Portage Police Department