SNELLVILLE – The city's police department placed second in its category at the 18th Annual Governor's Challenge Awards last week in Savannah.
The strong showing in the category for agencies with 26-50 officers was the highest the Snellville Police Department placed in recent years in the competition hosted by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. SPD placed third in 2016, 2015 and 2014. Snellville's finest placed first in 2013.
"Our department takes pride in being a partner with the Governor's Office of Highway Safety in keeping our roadways safe," Chief Roy Whitehead said. "Our classification received the most entries so receiving this award is an honor and a testament to the hard work and quality of the men and women of the Snellville Police Department."
The awards program is designed to highlight outstanding achievements in highway safety enforcement and education, according to the GOHS website. The awards program recognizes agencies for the approach and effectiveness of their overall highway safety programs. Agencies are evaluated not just for enforcement initiatives, but for innovative problem-solving in their communities, using public information activities and creating departmental policies that support their traffic enforcement campaign efforts.
"We have placed in our category in 11 of the 18 years that the Governor's Challenge has taken place," said Lt. David Matson. "I compiled the data and submitted our application again this year. Our application focused on the areas of occupant protection, impaired driving, speed awareness, distracted driving and underage alcohol prevention."
More information about the Governor's Challenge can be found on the GOHS website at http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/sitemap/governors-challenge/ or on its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GAHighwaySafety/.
PHOTO 1: Governor's Office of Highway Safety Deputy Director Jim Andrews presents the Snellville Police Department's second place award to Lt. David Matson. Photo courtesy of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.
PHOTO 2: The Snellville Police Department's second place award in the 2017 GOHS Georgia Governor's Challenge.