CLEARWATER – The Clearwater Police Department was one of four cities to win a 2012 Community Policing Award by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
The award recognizes outstanding community policing initiatives by law enforcement agencies worldwide.
“Community policing is central to the success of the police mission as we provide cost effective services to our diverse communities,” said Walter A. McNeil, chief of the Quincy Police Department and president of the IACP. “I applaud those recognized with this prestigious award and know that what they have created in their communities will positively impact the law enforcement community worldwide.”
Law enforcement agencies were eligible to nominate in five categories based on population, according to an IACP press release. This year’s four winners and eight finalists are examples of community policing best practices, it said.
“Their entities demonstrate the meaningful change that can occur when law enforcement officials and their communities are empowered to utilize all available resources for crime prevention and improvement of quality of life,” the release said.
The winners are as follows:
• Columbia Heights, Minn. Police Department for population of fewer than 20,000.
• Duluth, Minn. Police Department for population of 50,001 to 100,000.
• Clearwater Police Department for population of 100,001 to 250,000.
• San Diego, Calif. Police Department for population of more than 250,001.
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