Mount Vernon Police Department Receives Award

Participants in the Mount Vernon Police Department’s PAK-United program take a break from playing kickball to pose for a group portrait. MVPD photo

Law Publications honors MVPD for program involving City’s youth

MOUNT VERNON, Dec. 16, 2021 – The Mount Vernon Police Department has been selected to receive the Community Impact Award from Law Publications, in recognition of the department’s continuing effort to connect with the City’s residents to keep the community safe.

Specifically, the award – the first such honor bestowed by Law Publications – was given to the MVPD for its new PAK-United (Police and Kids United) program, which was created to enable the Department’s Schools Resource Officer to organize events such as kickball, fishing and dodgeball during the summer for kids, especially those who get left out of such activities because of family circumstances or distance from the City’s neighborhoods and parks. Since its creation, the popularity of PAK-United has allowed it to be continued during the school year as well.

“We are honored by this recognition as we continue to strengthen our connections with community partners and work together with our citizens to build the best community possible. This award comes as a result of the efforts of our dedicated officers and the supportive citizens we serve,” said Chief of Police Robert K. Morgan.

“We are proud of the ongoing partnerships between our organization and the community and this is another reminder of just how healthy and unique the relationships are between our officers and the citizens we serve,” Morgan continued. “We are looking forward to future collaborations to create innovative new programs and be a model for other communities.”

The PAK-United program “demonstrates a unique way to make a truly lasting positive impact on the community,” according to Law Publications. “This program, along with the creation of a Community Advocacy Resource Director (CARD) position within the department to focus on citizen and officer well-being, demonstrates the department’s dedication to finding creative solutions that deliver real impacts.”

The MVPD hired Dan Jackman as CARD director, or Community Advocate, this past fall, and he has been working alongside officers on calls that may benefit from the presence of a social worker on scene. In addition, restructuring of the Auxiliary Patrolman program has allowed for Mount Vernon businesses, schools and churches to enhance their safety measures by utilizing certified Police Officers at various events.

Law Publications has been supporting law enforcement community engagement and education efforts for more than 40 years. The Community Impact Award received by the Mount Vernon Police Department is part of the organization’s inaugural Community Engagement Awards. The Police Departments in Grafton, Wis.; Parsons, Kan.; and at Georgia Tech University in Atlanta were also honored.

 

Information courtesy of the Mount Vernon Police Department