U.S. Attorney's Office Recognizes Law Enforcement Partners For Their Contributions To Department Of Justice's Mission
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office held its annual Law Enforcement Awards ceremony recognizing federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who have gone above and beyond to support the Department of Justice’s mission. In the face of unprecedented challenges in 2020, law enforcement across Nevada continued putting themselves at risk to protect our communities.
“These awards honor and recognize law enforcement’s outstanding efforts to maintain safety across Nevada,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Each recipient has made a real, impactful difference in our communities.”
Officers and Agents. The U.S. Attorney’s Office recognized 33 individual members of federal, state and local law enforcement representing 12 agencies throughout Nevada. The award recipients were honored for their contributions and collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office towards protecting national security, fighting public corruption, combatting gun and drug trafficking, preventing financial fraud crimes, and protecting public lands. The recipients came from the following agencies:
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- Bureau of Land Management
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Clark County Fire Department
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
- Mesquite Police Department
- National Park Service
- Reno Police Department
- Sparks Police Department
- U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing – Innovations in Community Policing. The U.S. Attorney’s Office had the honor of presenting the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing – Innovations in Community Policing to six officers and detectives of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department - Bolden Area Command. The recipients have strengthened community relations while serving as coaches for the Bolden Little League.
The Bolden Little League started with the idea of a free baseball league for children in the community, with police officers coaching the teams for an entire season. Play started in spring 2017, with five teams comprising 70 children between 8 and 10 years old. Since then, the age range has expanded – now allowing children from 6 to 12 – while remaining free for families. Through their efforts, the officers and detectives honored today have built trust and positive relationships with children and their parents. The neighborhoods surrounding the park posted a 76% reduction in violent crime from 2018 to 2019.
Project Safe Neighborhoods Award. For his outstanding work and contributions in support of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office presented the PSN Achievement Award to Sheriff Joseph Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. PSN is a critical piece of the Department’s crime reduction efforts, focusing on prosecuting individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities. PSN also supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.
Under Sheriff Lombardo’s leadership, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department continues to set the industry standard on best practices across the country. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Violent Crime Initiative was developed in fall 2017 and was first implemented in January 2018. Sheriff Lombardo’s vision in guiding the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s efforts have reduced violent crime in our communities by 20% from 2017 to 2019.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks all of the recipients, their colleagues, their families, and agency leadership for their continued commitment to supporting the Department of Justice’s mission.
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