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Community award nominations open for CMPD officers making positive impact

By Kevin Campbell

CMPD community relations awards Last year's winners (L to R), Officer Alvin Bailey, Officer Ryan Botzenmayer, Officer Teyawna Hardy, Officer Rafael Garcia

By Kevin Campbell

Nominations are being accepted for the 41st Annual Police Community Relations Awards sponsored by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee.

Winners from last year included CMPD Officer Alvin Bailey. Bailey believes it is important to build trust between students and law enforcement officers. His goal is to create meaningful relationships with students, parent and their guardians.

Officer Ryan Botzenmayer was recognized as a community liaison, youth program coordinator, and for his compassion and sincere kindness to the community.

Officer Teyawana Hardy won for connecting with students in order to impact the community. She takes pride in her ability to dispel myths about law enforcement and show students that law enforcement professionals have a vested interest in ensuring their success during and after graduation.

Other winners were Officer Theodore Castano, Officer Jason Ellis, Officer David Faulkenberry, Officer Doug E. Gallant, Officer Rafael Garcia, Officer Reginald Gilmore, Officer Damon Green, Officer Holly Lawton and Officer David Padgett.

Officer Rafael Garcia said that community relationships are formed by being able to relate to different cultures. Garcia regularly translates for community members who only speak Spanish on calls for service and for follow up investigates. He also mentors students.

An annual feature of Charlotte’s Law Enforcement Week celebration, the award recognizes officers and work teams from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for building positive, problem-solving relationships with individual citizens and neighborhood groups. In the past 40 years, Charlotte-Mecklenburg community members have nominated more than 4,100 officers.

Citizens in the patrol area, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools personnel, groups and individuals may make nominations.

CLICK THIS LINK TO COMPLETE THE NOMINATION FORM.

You may also call 704-336-3056 to request a nomination form or for more information. Deadline for nominations is Wednesday, April 3.

Members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee will review nominations. Officers selected will be honored at an awards ceremony and dinner on Thursday, May 14.

If you have a inspiring story to share, email Kevin Campbell, WSOC-TV/WAXN-TV/Telemundo Charlotte public affairs manager, at Kevin.Campbell@wsoctv.com.

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