Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone honored members of the Suffolk County Police Department who have distinguished themselves among their peers with their work, dedication and sacrifices for the SCPD during the 57th annual Awards Ceremony held on May 23 at the Van Nostrand Theater in Brentwood.
Among the honorees recognized was Detective Christopher Racioppo, who was awarded both a Purple Heart Medal and the Combat Silver Medal. While working as a patrol officer in Patchogue on April 10, 2021, Racioppo was stabbed in the leg by a suspect attempting to evade arrest for DWI after causing a motor vehicle crash. The knife severed the officer’s femoral artery, requiring emergency surgery and a lengthy hospital stay. He has since returned to work at the SCPD and has been promoted to the rank of detective serving in the Criminal Intelligence Section.
Police Officer Caroline Maher was also honored during the event for her continued commitment to her post at the Police Academy while battling cancer—including rounds of treatment and surgery. For her dedication, Officer Maher was awarded the Commissioner’s Extraordinary Service Award.
A training initiative that is being shared nationwide was also highlighted at the event. In February, 2021, Sergeant Konrad Wojciechowski, Officers Sylvia Gill, Jamie Mastrangelo and Daniel Fraas travelled to Ferguson, Missouri to train officers in the SCPD’s implicit bias training, Tactical Policing with Impartial Perceptions.
The program, which was developed by the SCPD in collaboration with the U.S. Justice Department, allowed members of the department to meet with community leaders and develop a national model moving forward. In honor of the program, the members of the Police Academy staff were awarded the Exceptional Police Service Award.
Commissioner Harrison also bestowed a Command Citation upon the Special Victims Section for the challenging work they do every day on cases that involve the physical and sexual abuse of children.
Congratulations to all members of the SCPD who were honored, your dedication and service to the residents of Suffolk County are seen and appreciated!
Original source can be found here.
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