GEORGIA’S TOP COPS HONORED FOR
LAW ENFORCEMENT EXCELLENCE

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) announced in September that Georgia has an official statewide safetybelt usage rate of 89-percent.. That’s the highest occupant safety record in the Southeast. The announcement was made by GOHS Director Bob Dallas at the Georgia International Convention Center as he addressed more than 600 traffic law enforcement officers at the 7th Annual Governor’s Challenge Awards.

The glitzy Governor’s Challenge event has come to be known in law enforcement circles as Georgia’s answer to the Emmy Awards for cops, where every day peace officers find themselves in the spotlight for a few proud moments while their peers and judges from the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognize them for their outstanding performance behind the badge and their dedication to saving lives on Georgia’s highways.

“This is the second year in a row that Georgia’s safetybelt survey has registered around 90-percent,” said GOHS Director Bob Dallas. “There’s no question your concentrated patrols and high-profile road-checks are having a measurable effect on safety belt use.”

Dallas told the statewide gathering of police, sheriff’s deputies and state troopers that the Governor’s Challenge event is the one day the state can honor law enforcement for the job they do every day. “You’re saving the lives of fellow Georgians each time you send an impaired driver to jail and each time you write a speeding ticket.. And especially when you cite drivers for unbuckled safety belts,” said Dallas.

In a video taped message from the State Capitol, Governor Sonny Perdue congratulated Georgia’s traffic law enforcement officers for making Click It Or Ticket, Summer HEAT, and Operation Zero Tolerance household-words for buckling-up, slowing-down and driving sober. Thank you for making Georgia a safer place for everyone to live and drive.”

As Georgia’s Governor’s Challenge program continues to grow in size, success, and attendance, so does the prominence of its keynote speakers. Deputy Administrator Jim Ports of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) referred to the nationwide crash, injury and fatality data and told Georgia’s top traffic enforcement cops, “Your dedication has translated into real progress in areas like alcohol-related crashes: You have the lowest in the Southeast; And in areas like seatbelt use, you can boast a consistently high rate of use over the past five years.. at or extremely close to 90-percent belt use.”

“We’re very proud to have NHTSA’s Jim Ports as our keynote speaker this year and equally proud of the selfless, life-saving efforts of Georgia’s law enforcement community,” said GOHS Director Bob Dallas. Behind Governor’s Challenge is a unique GOHS incentive program designed to award outstanding achievements in highway safety enforcement and education:

Georgia law enforcement agencies are judged on both the approach and effectiveness of their overall highway safety programs. Agencies are evaluated not just for enforcement initiatives, but for innovative problem-solving programs in their communities. The judging also examines how local agencies create departmental policies and adapt their public information activities to support their traffic enforcement campaign efforts. Here are some highlights:

The law enforcement agency with the highest overall evaluation each year is presented with the coveted "Governor's Cup." The winner of the 2007 Governor's Cup was Chief Jeff Baker of the Morrow Police Department with a score of 160.5 out of a possible 195.

The Rookie of the Year Award was presented to the agency with the highest overall score of first time entries. The Rookie of the Year Award went to Chief Michael Mansour of the Villa Rica Police Department with a score of 115 out of a possible 195.

GOHS received a total of 90 applications from participating Georgia law enforcement agencies this year. All applications are forwarded to the International Association of Chiefs of Police for independent judging. Thirty-four Georgia agencies were recognized for their excellence during the 2007 Governor's Challenge Awards Banquet.

"The Annual Governor's Challenge Awards recognize the dedication of these officers to increase safety belt use, slow down speeders and reduce impaired and aggressive driving," said GOHS Director Bob Dallas. "We congratulate the 2007 winning agencies."

Traffic Enforcement Network Award - This award is given to a network that displays exceptional leadership and excels at promoting the mission of the Traffic Enforcement Networks, through team building of law enforcement agencies within their region as well as the development of innovative approaches to highway safety: Mountain Area Traffic Enforcement Network (MATEN), Coordinator- Lt. Gary McConathy, Fort Oglethorpe Police Department, Asst. Coordinator- John Wengart, Catoosa County Sheriff's Office.

In addition to the agency awards, eleven Special Awards were presented covering major fields of traffic safety and areas of awareness, prevention, protection and enforcement. The following are the winners of the 2007 Georgia Governor's Challenge Special Awards:

Underage Alcohol Prevention Award- Presented to an agency for making notable efforts in addressing the problem of underage drinking and address the problem of impaired driving by those under the legal drinking age: Dalton Police Department, Chief James Chadwick.

Impaired Driving Awareness Award- Presented to an agency making notable efforts in addressing the problem of impaired driving: Richmond Co. Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Ronald Strength.

Occupant Protection Award- Presented to the agency that demonstrates outstanding efforts to promote and enforce occupant protection laws: Peachtree City Police Department, Chief James Murray.

Speed Awareness Award- Presented to an agency making notable efforts in addressing the problem of speeding: Adel Police Department (2nd Year in a row) Chief Chad Castleberry.

Child Passenger Safety Award- Presented to the agency that demonstrates outstanding efforts to enforce and promote child passenger safety in their community: Tift County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Gary Vowel.

Rookie Of The Year Award- Presented to the agency that's a first time entry into the Governor's Challenge with the highest score. All entries are considered, regardless of category: Villa Rica Police Department, Chief Michael Mansour.

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement- Presented to an agency that demonstrates notable efforts to promote and enforce occupant protection laws and overall comprehensive education and enforcement programs for commercial vehicles: Snellville Police Department, Chief Roy Whitehead.

Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Award- Presented to an agency that demonstrates notable efforts to promote and enforce bicycle and/or pedestrian laws: Marietta Police Department, Chief Dan Flynn.

Technology Award- Presented to an agency making notable efforts to address traffic safety concerns using new and innovative technology: Valdosta Police Department (2nd Year in a row) Chief Frank Simons.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Award- The Georgia Governor's Challenge program is the first State Law Enforcement Challenge in the country to address the growing problem of motorcycle injuries and fatalities with this groundbreaking new program to promote motorcycle safety awareness through innovative enforcement, education and evaluation. First time winner in this new category: Loganville Police Department, Chief Mike McHugh.

GSP Top Troop Award- Another new award category for the 2007 Governor's Challenge is the Georgia State Patrol "Top Troop Award" designated for presentation to the GSP Troop scoring the most points among all Georgia State Patrol entries. The "Top Troop Award" will be transferred year-to-year from winner-to-winner, becoming a new GOHS tradition. First time winner in this new category: GSP Troop H, Capt. Hiram Bembry, Troop Commander.

This year, IACP judges considered 546 national entries from 32 states and Georgia was honored to have eighteen National winners in the IACP Nat'l Law Enforcement Challenge. That's more National Law Enforcement Challenge Winners than any other state in the country and eight of those Georgia winners took first place in their categories. What's more, the National Sheriff's Association gave national recognition to two Georgia Sheriff's Offices based on their Governor's Challenge Applications.

2007 IACP Law Enforcement Challenge National Special Categories

In National Special Categories, the Valdosta Police Department received the 2007 Technology Award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Challenge. The National Sheriff's Association recognized the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office with awards for their Overall Traffic Safety Unit and Underage Alcohol Enforcement. The Tift County Sheriff's Office was also recognized by the National Sheriff's Association with the Occupant Protection Award.

"Participation in campaigns such as Click It Or Ticket, Operation Zero Tolerance, and the 100 Days of Summer HEAT has proven that high-visibility enforcement of Georgia's traffic laws is the key to saving lives and reducing injuries on Georgia's highways," said GOHS Director Bob Dallas. "Through these ongoing GOHS initiatives, Georgia law enforcement agencies are accustomed to working together daily to promote traffic safety." Dallas told members of GATEN (Georgia Traffic Enforcement Network), "Thank you for your service to your communities. I am proud of the way you have represented Georgia. You make us all proud. I know that once again this year, you are motivated and qualified to meet the Governor's Challenge."

FOR A LIST OF ALL THE WINNERS, CLICK ON HTTP://WWW.GAHIGHWAYSAFETY.ORG/GOVERNORSCHALLENGE/2007/GOVCHALLWINNERSLIST2008.DOC

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2008 Training for the Governor's Office of Highway Safety Challenge Program dates include:

January 25th--Loganville at the Walton County Sheriff's Precinct (shares building with the Loganville PD)--1:00 p.m.

January 30th--Carrollton at the Carroll County Sheriff's Department--10:30 a.m.

February 1st--Columbus at the Columbus Police Department Community Room--10:00 a.m.

February 4th--Centerville at the Centerville Police Department--10:00 a.m.

February 5th--Winder at the Winder Police Department--10:00 a.m.

February 7th--Albany at the Dougherty County Police Department--10:00 a.m.

February 25th--Ellijay at the Ellijay Police Department--10:00 a.m.

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Special thanks goes out to Wes Dodgen Photography for their work during this year's Governor's Challenge Luncheon.....