FRUITLAND POLICE HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE IN TRAFFIC SAFETY ENFORCEMENT

Agency recognized as runner-up in category for statewide law enforcement competition

The Fruitland Police Department has been named as a runner-up in its category for a prestigious Maryland Law Enforcement Challenge Award. Co-sponsored by the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, the Maryland Sheriff’s Association and the Maryland Highway Safety Office, the Maryland Law Enforcement Challenge promotes competition among Maryland police agencies, while recognizing and honoring those that excel in traffic safety enforcement.

Maryland Chiefs of Police Association President, Chief William J. McMahon, stated “I want to congratulate the officers of the Fruitland Police Department for their commitment to the Maryland Law Enforcement Challenge. Competition for these awards is very tight every year, and the efforts of the department have been a key to preventing crashes and the resulting injuries and deaths on our roadways.”

The Maryland Law Enforcement Challenge is a competition between similar sized and types of law enforcement agencies. This award recognizes and rewards the best overall traffic enforcement programs in the State of Maryland. The areas of concentration include efforts to enforce laws and educate the public about occupant protection, impaired driving prevention, and speeding enforcement. Agencies submit an application which documents their efforts and effectiveness in these areas. The winning safety programs are those that combine officer training, public information and enforcement to reduce crashes and injuries within its jurisdiction. 

“Enforcing Maryland’s traffic laws is a top priority of this agency,” stated Chief Phillips. “Receiving recognition for involvement in the Maryland Law Enforcement Challenge is just a small step in thanking the men and women who are out there every day, saving lives and making a difference in our community.”

A panel of traffic safety experts reviews each application and assign points based on the program’s criteria. After judging, the scores are averaged and a final score assigned. After all of the applications are scored, the agencies are ranked in their categories. All judges are members of the law enforcement or public safety community, and have demonstrated advance knowledge of highway safety initiatives.