Chief Michael Mansour is excited to share the news that the Villa Rica Police Department has placed third in the 2016 National Law Enforcement Challenge. The Challenge is held through a cooperative agreement with the National Highway Safety Administration, and in partnership with the National Sheriff’s Association, the Governors Highway Safety Association, and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
The NLEC focuses on the traffic safety issues of impaired driving, occupant protection, and speed awareness. Additionally, agencies can select a traffic safety issue that has been identified as a problem in their state or locality. The Villa Rica Police Department selected Distracted Driving as the local traffic safety issue. Within each of these four categories, participating agencies are evaluated and awarded points on their approaches to these traffic safety issues based on seven factors: Problem Identification, Policies, Planning, Training, Public Information & Education, Enforcement, and Outcomes. The Distracted Driving Training Program presented the past two years at Villa Rica High School is believed to have played a large part in this award because it was so innovative and hands on for the teen drivers.
Applications were considered from agencies throughout the nation and awards were given in categories based on the size of the department. Villa Rica is in the category of 21-50 sworn officers. Byron Police Department, Ga., finished first and Ashland Police Department, Va., finished second in the category with Villa Rica. The departments that were selected will be honored at the IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police) Conference which is held in San Diego CA in October 2016.
The Villa Rica Police Department is proud of the officers that have worked hard to make this possible. Sgt. Hunter Ethredge and the Villa Rica Police Traffic Unit has led the way in making Villa Rica a safer community. The award is a reflection of the commitment of the officers to the community they serve.
