Police, Township Committee recognize two ‘Top Cops’

Officer David Fisher and Officer Russell Wilde received the awards.

By: Purvi Desai
   When Hillsborough police corporals and lieutenants are asked who are the best Patrol Division officers, one name comes up year after year: 15-year veteran David Fisher, who recently received one of the township’s annual Top Cop awards for the third time.
   "I’m very honored at receiving any type of award," said Officer Fisher, 37, said, adding that being acknowledged by peers is most valuable. "My family’s proud."
   Officer Fisher and Officer Russell Wilde, 36, received the awards based upon their performance in 2006, according to police officials. They were honored at the Feb. 27 Township Committee meeting.
   While this is the first such honor for Officer Wilde, Officer Fisher received the award in 2004 and 2005.
   Each year, the township Police Department selects two Top Cops, one from each patrol squad, for recognition of "exceptional performance." Both Officers Fisher and Wilde received the highest scores on completed performance evaluations, as well as scores given by their supervisors and peers within the Patrol Division.
   Top Cops are formally recognized by the department and receive an acknowledgement in their personnel file. In addition, Officers Fisher and Wilde will have their names added to the Top Cop plaque, displayed in the police headquarters lobby.
   They will also be awarded a merit bar that is worn above their uniform badge — and a complimentary dinner at a local restaurant.
   "The Top Cop Award is an excellent opportunity for our officers to be recognized for the outstanding work they do all year long," said Committeeman Carl Suraci, who is the Township Committee’s police liaison. "Congratulations to Officers Fisher and Wilde. Their terrific performance exemplifies the high standards of our Police Department."
   Chief of Police Paul Kaminsky said both officers are currently assigned to the Patrol Division. He said the Top Cop Award is determined by ballots cast by other officers in the patrol squads. In addition, Chief Kaminsky said the department’s corporals and the lieutenant of each division have a vote, and each officer’s score on an annual review is considered in determining the award recipients.
   "The award is very meaningful to the officers as they are chosen by their peers," Chief Kaminsky said, adding the winners are also picked based upon how many arrests the made, how many investigations they participated in, their knowledge of case law and totality of what they do each year. "I was not surprised," he said of the winners. "They are excellent officers — very seasoned."
   Office Fisher, a resident of Bloomsbury, said although he has always enjoyed his duties as a police officer, the award reinforces the feeling.
   "I just want to say the Hillsborough Police Department is a great police department to work at," he said. "Everyone there works very hard. Any one of my fellow officers could have received this award."
   Officer Wilde, of Philipsburg, said his family was "excited" to learn that he received the honor. He agreed with Officer Fisher’s comment about the other patrol officers.
   "There are a lot of people that deserve it (in the Police Department)," he said. "It’s my peers that made the ultimate decision."
   Officer Wilde has been with the Hillsborough Police Department for over 14 years, including about 18 months as dispatcher.