The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety honored 26 different Georgia law enforcement agencies for their year-round work to save lives and reduce traffic crashes on our roads during the 21st annual Governor’s Challenge Awards held at the Macon Centreplex on Friday, November 6.
An annual recognition program for statewide law enforcement agencies of all sizes, the program featured awards in eight different categories based on department size, as well as several other specialty categories.
Tennille Police Department placed second in Category One for law enforcement agencies with one to 10 officers. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office placed second in Category Two for law enforcement agencies with 11 to 25 officers.
“I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication that employees exhibit each day in making our community safe,” said Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran. “We’re working together as one team, and I am proud to be working with such outstanding people.”
The Governor’s Challenge program honors law enforcement agencies for their work to prevent crashes, injuries and deaths in their communities, college campuses and military installations. Designed to award outstanding achievements in highway safety enforcement and education, the awards recognize agencies for the approach and effectiveness of their overall highway safety programs. Agencies are evaluated not just for enforcement initiatives, but for unique problem-solving in their communities, using public information activities, and creating departmental policies that support their traffic enforcement campaign efforts
“These awards give us the opportunity to recognize Georgia’s law enforcement officers and let them know they are making a difference every day when it comes to saving lives on our roads,” Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Allen Poole said. “We were honored to return this year to once again put the spotlight on the police officers, sheriff’s deputies and state troopers who help keep our roads safe.”
“The best part about these awards is they recognize departments large and small and we congratulate each and every one of this year’s winners.” GOHS Law Enforcement Services Director Roger Hayes said. “Every day, these men and women are working toward the goal of zero deaths on Georgia roads and while that may seem impossible to some, it’s a goal we will never stop reaching for. It’s a goal we can all help achieve by buckling up, slowing down, not driving distracted and never driving impaired.”
