The UCF Police Department hosted a ceremony at the Cypress Room Wednesday to celebrate the department’s achievements in 2018.
Family, friends, and colleagues watched as awards were presented to officers, staff members, and community partners for their loyalty to UCFPD and the UCF community. Erik Kohler ’98, the public address announcer of UCF football and men’s basketball games, emceed the ceremony.
Detective Luis Rivera received both the Officer of the Year and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer of the Year awards for his contributions to the success and improvement of UCFPD as the department’s first Persons of Concern detective. His mental health background has helped him conduct threat assessments and connect people in crisis or with ongoing mental health issues with campus and community resources
Other department awards included:
Employee of the Year: Millie Rios, support staff
Supervisor of the Year (Sworn): Sergeant Amelia Bray ’13, patrol
Supervisor of the Year (Civilian): Debbie Pope, records division
Dispatcher of the Year: Lena Holton, communications division
Field Training Officer of the Year: Detective Jeffrey Panter, criminal investigations division
Victim Advocate of the Year: Mandy Broderick ’13, UCF Victim Services
Community Service Officer of the Year: Yoan Rojas
Sergeant Anthony Chronister and Officer Victoria Scott were honored with the Life-Saving Award for helping a female in mental health crisis. She was on the top of a parking garage and on the phone with a suicide prevention hotline. Both officers talked to her and were able to get her off of the garage. An additional Life-Saving Award was given to Corporal Alan Elliot ’06 after he provided medical aid to a female who was struck by a vehicle on Alafaya Trail.
The coveted Chief’s Award was given to officers who volunteered to respond to Hurricane Michael relief efforts in the Panhandle. In small teams, these groups each spent a week camping, assisting local police with security and helping to restore and rebuild the community. They are:
The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) received a unit citation for their work on several complex and high-profile cases. Delta and Charlie squads and the volunteer committee for the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators’ conference in Orlando last summer were also given unit citations.
Members of the community were recognized for their continued support of UCFPD. Awardees included:
Several members of UCFPD were awarded commendations for their work in keeping the UCF community safe:
These officers were recognized for their contributions to the community and their participation in Special Olympics Florida’s Torch Run campaign:
