Arlington Heights Police Department this year awarded its annual L.W. Calderwood Officer of the Year Award to five police officers — the first time the honor has been awarded to more than one police officer. Several past awardees were in attendance at the Rotary “Calderwood Award” luncheon at the European Crystal Banquets & Conference Center. Members of the Calderwood family also attend the luncheon annually. The award is named in honor of former Police Chief L.W. Calderwood who served from 1958 to 1976.
Police Chief Gerald Mourning and Mayor Tom Hayes on Thursday, March 9, 2017 presented plaques to Cmdr. Mark Recker, retired Sgt. Michael Shabez and officers Jeffrey Aiello, James Kryca and David Lavin.
All police officers were part of the department’s 2016 traffic bureau personnel and were instrumental in helping the Arlington Heights Police Department receive the Clayton J. Hall Memorial Award in October 2016 from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The award is given to the law enforcement agency judged to have the most comprehensive traffic safety program in the nation. Sole awardees typically receive a $500 prize, but the award was split to $100 for each police officer this year.
Recker heads the traffic bureau, and was an individual Officer of the Year Award winner in 2001. Shabez, who retired recently and continues to work as a civilian in the records department, formerly headed the traffic bureau.
The traffic bureau is responsible for local traffic safety enforcement, crash analyses and public education initiatives, including a “Seatbelts Save Lives” effort and driver’s education program for teens at Hersey High School.
Since the bureau was formed in 2004, the traffic crash rate has dropped 25 percent, and personal injury crashes are down 35 percent. Last year, the department issued a total of 4,675 traffic citations.
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