Views and Commentary from the 2008 Governor's Challenge Awards in Perry, Georgia

GOHS would like to thank everyone who made it out to the 8th Annual Governor's Challenge Awards in Perry, Georgia on September 19, 2008.

From GOHS to you -- The Governor’s Challenge is GOHS's way of recognizing and rewarding state law enforcement for their outstanding traffic enforcement and highway safety efforts.. And for all they do to save lives on Georgia’s roadways.

Directions have been switched in local law enforcement in Georgia because of the Governor’s Challenge program..

Smaller agencies have implemented policies to require their officers to buckle up, new Speed Enforcement Policies and DUI Enforcement Policies.

Some agency heads acknowledge it was the Governor’s Challenge that prompted them to adopt new policies.

Heated and friendly.. lifesaving competition among local law enforcement agencies and GSP Troops across this state is occurring all year long.

More law enforcement agencies are making highway safety and traffic enforcement in Georgia a priority than ever before.

All the while, GOHS is building viable partnerships with Law Enforcement and corporate partners through Governor’s Challenge. These partnerships establish a life saving collaboration.

There is no doubt that participation and the excitement created with the Governor’s Challenge program is saving lives in Georgia.. Just as the IACP’s National Law Enforcement Challenge is saving lives across the country.

The Governor’s Challenge Awards Program is an opportunity to reward and thank Georgia law enforcement for making a difference in communities through high visibility traffic enforcement and highway safety education.

Georgia law enforcement dedication was reflected in the 82 Governor’s Challenge Applications submitted to GOHS this year. All Georgia applications were then forwarded to the International Association of Chief’s of Police for judging.. And, were also entered into the IACP National Law Enforcement Challenge.

Georgia scores were then returned to GOHS for the selection of the Governor’s Challenge winners.

Here’s how Georgia law enforcement stands among its North American peers: Nationally, there were 560 entries from 30 states-and-Canada entered in the National IACP Law Enforcement Challenge. GOHS is honored that 18 Georgia law enforcement agencies will be recognized in San Diego at the IACP Highway Safety Awards in November. Together, these fine Georgia law enforcement officers gathered here will receive a total of 20 National Law Enforcement Challenge Awards.

The National Sheriff’s Association also announced that the N-S-A 2008 J. Stannard Baker Award recipient is Captain Chris Looney from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

The J. Stannard Baker Award is the highest award given for highway safety in the U.S. Captain Looney is now the third J. Stannard Baker award-winner from Georgia! Captain Looney joins ranks with Fayette County S-O Major Wayne Hannah..who is an NSA J. Stannard Baker award winner and Jesup Police Captain Luther Hires.., a Georgia highway safety pioneer and a previous winner of the IACP J. Stannard Baker Award.

Among the national winners from Georgia are:

Lavonia PD- 2 nd Place- Municipal 2

Cornelia PD- 2 nd Place- Municipal 3

Canton PD- 2 nd Place- Municipal 5

Dougherty Co. PD- 3 rd Place- Municipal 6

Savannah-Chatham Co. Metro PD- 3 rd Place- Municipal 10

Jeff Davis County SO- 2 nd Place- Sheriff 1

Twiggs County SO- 1 st Place- Sheriff 2

Franklin County SO- 2 nd Place- Sheriff 2

Sumter County SO- 3 rd Place- Sheriff 3

Tift County SO- 1 st Place- Sheriff 4

Baldwin County SO- 2 nd Place- Sheriff 4

Coweta County SO- 1 st Place- Sheriff 5

Douglas County SO- 2 nd Place- Sheriff 6

Georgia State Patrol- 2 nd Place- State Police 3

Muscogee County Marshal’s Office- 2 nd Place-Special Law Enforcement

University of Georgia PD- 3rd Place-

College Campus Law Enforcement

Safe Campuses Now- 3 rd Place- Private Agencies

Forsyth County SO- 2 nd Place- Championship Class

Forsyth County SO- National Motorcycle Safety

Special Category Award

The National Sheriff’s Association’s Overall Top Traffic Safety Unit Award went to the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office.. Coweta County SO scored the highest of all Sheriff Office entries in the National Law Enforcement Challenge.

Through the Georgia Governor’s Challenge program, GOHS has developed Public-Private partnerships that are literally saving lives across this state. It’s our most important mission. So words cannot describe our appreciation for the generosity of our Corporate Sponsors. Without them assisting with the associated cost of this program, today’s law enforcement recognition would not be possible.

Governor’s Challenge has proven to be an outstanding opportunity for the private sector to partner with Georgia law enforcement in a meaningful way that serves the entire community. Support for Governor’s Challenge helps promote traffic safety and save lives on Georgia’s roadways.