Justice Department Honors Law Enforcement Officers in Sixth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing
![20230605-cops-awards-gallery_02.jpg COPS Director Hugh T. Clements Jr. delivers remarks from a podium at the Department of Justice](/d9/styles/banner/public/2023-10/20230605-cops-awards-gallery_02.jpg?itok=5j0ITK4z)
“The Attorney General’s award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing recognizes officers, deputies, and troopers for exceptional efforts in the areas of criminal investigations, field operations, and innovative community policing strategies.”
-Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Director Hugh T. Clements Jr.
![20230605-cops-awards-gallery_03.jpg Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta delivers remarks from a podium in the Great Hall at the Department of Justice](/d9/styles/banner/public/2023-10/20230605-cops-awards-gallery_03.jpg?itok=GPFdZ9LR)
“The Justice Department is proud to celebrate the individuals being recognized today. I have read your stories and know that you epitomize community policing at its best. Community policing advances community safety by building trust, respect, and collaboration between police and communities. It’s a model of policing that respects civil rights and engages the community as a full partner in creating safer communities for police and residents alike.”
-Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta
![20230605-cops-awards-gallery_04.jpg Attorney General Merrick B. Garland delivers remarks from a podium in the Great Hall at the Department of Justice](/d9/styles/banner/public/2023-10/20230605-cops-awards-gallery_04.jpg?itok=VwPCkf-H)
“Every day, law enforcement officers across the country work to protect their communities. They forge and maintain strong community ties that are essential to ensuring public safety. And they put their lives on the line to make their communities better places to live...to every officer here today, and to our honorees in particular: thank you for all that you have done for our communities. And thank you for all that you continue to do. The Justice Department and our country are grateful to you.”
-Attorney General Merrick B. Garland
![20230605-cops-awards-gallery_12.jpg COPS Director Hugh T. Clements Jr., Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta pose for photos with COPS award recipients](/d9/styles/banner/public/2023-10/20230605-cops-awards-gallery_12.jpg?itok=dKigux-9)
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Field Operations for an agency serving between 50,000 and 250,000 residents” was awarded to both Patrolman First Class Demetrius Amos and Patrolman First Class MacKenzie Handel with the Pocatello, Idaho Police Department.
On June 5, 2023 Attorney General Merrick B. Garland bestowed the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing to 19 law enforcement officers and deputies from 15 jurisdictions across the country for efforts in criminal investigations, field operations, and innovations in community policing.