Maryland’s Law Enforcement To Receive Coveted Service Award

Highway Safety Efforts Recognized at Annual Conference in Ocean City

[Ocean City, Maryland]— Maryland has a problem. A culture problem. The culture of Maryland’s motorists has been one that exudes aggressiveness, has an acquired taste for speed, and has a tendency to get into motor vehicle crashes. Over the past several years, that culture has been slowly reigned in by Maryland’s law enforcement community, as evidenced by the decrease in automobile crash fatalities in the state. Fatalities continued a four-year decline in 2010, resulting in 496 fatalities, down from 652 in 2006.
Additionally, alcohol-related fatalities have dropped significantly from 241 in 2006 to 177 in 2010.

This week, as Maryland’s law enforcement executives converge in Ocean City for their annual Chiefs of Police and Sheriff’s Association Training Meeting, no doubt countless strategies will be exchanged, including, among other things, ways to further reduce the annual carnage on Maryland’s roadways. However, this year, the feds will be in town, specifically, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to recognize Maryland’s unique law enforcement efforts towards improving highway safety.

NHTSA (pronounced Knit-Zuh) will be awarding the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and the Maryland Sheriffs Association with the distinguished Public Service Award for their united efforts in reducing the number of motor vehicle crashes and associated injuries and fatalities.

"We honor Maryland law enforcement officials for their long standing and continued commitment to improving traffic safety throughout the state," said Deputy Administrator, Ronald Medford, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  "Maryland’s roads are safer as a result of their leadership, dedication and state-wide efforts to reduce crashes, save lives and prevent injuries."

This coveted award is rarely given out, but ironically, this is the second time a Maryland law enforcement entity has received the award. The Baltimore County Police Department received the award in 2008 for their implementation of a geographical mapping tool that graphically analyzes and correlates crime and vehicular crashes, and aids in targeting deployment of personnel, the results of which had significant nationwide impacts on policing strategies.

"It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized for doing our jobs. While it’s not the most glamorous aspects of our job, Traffic Safety is truly public safety," said Sheriff Gary Hoffman, President of the Maryland Sheriff’s Association. "Communicating that mantra to our front line employees is imperative to changing the driving culture in our state."

"It used to be officers were relegated to Traffic Enforcement details as punishment, often leading to less than enthusiastic officers" said the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association president, Chief Bernie Gerst. "With the help of our federal and state partners, including the Maryland Highway Safety Office, we’ve been afforded the opportunities and resources to raise the profile of this important aspect of law enforcement."