18 Michigan Law Enforcement Agencies Earn MACP/OHSP/AAA Michigan Traffic Safety Award

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Eighteen Michigan law enforcement agencies have earned the 2009 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.  Additionally, the Michigan State Police Third District was named "Grand Prize Winner" in the annual competition.

The grand prize, awarded this year for the first time,  was presented for the outstanding traffic safety efforts made by the Third District post officers, including ongoing and positive educational public safety messages and working with the media to promote traffic safety awareness.  The Third District includes Bad Axe, Bay City, Bridgeport, Caro, East Tawas, Flint, Gladwin, Lapeer, Mt. Pleasant, Sandusky and West Branch.

The awards recognize the outstanding commitment the winning law enforcement agencies have made during  the previous year to promote 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.  The 2009 award winners are:

"AAA Michigan has been a proud co-sponsor with MACP and OHSP of this traffic safety awards program for more than three decades," said Jack Peet, AAA Traffic Safety Manager.  "We've taken an active role in traffic safety issues since our founding.  We are pleased to work with our traffic safety partners to help make our roads safer for all."  

The winning agencies receive a display plaque from AAA Michigan commemorating their achievement.  Agencies will share $80,000 in OHSP federal traffic safety funds to purchase traffic safety equipment or enhance local traffic enforcement efforts.

"The leadership and commitment by law enforcement, from local to county to state, is critical to addressing traffic safety issues in Michigan," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP director.  

"Winners of the MACP/OHSP/AAA Michigan Traffic Safety Award must demonstrate a clear and convincing commitment to traffic safety within their communities to be eligible for the award," said Tom Hendrickson, executive director of the MACP.  Programs are judged on four components: 1) the scope and duration of the project, 2) the complexity or difficulty of the project, 3) the degree of innovation involved, and 4) the results achieved.  

"This awards program continues to reflect  the ongoing commitment by Michigan law enforcement agencies to traffic safety," said Chief James E. Carmody of the Wyoming Police Department, chair of the MACP Traffic Safety Committee. Presentation of awards took place February 11 at the MACP Winter conference banquet in Grand Rapids.

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

SOURCE AAA Michigan