HILLSBOROUGH: ‘Top cops’ for 2013 are chosen

McLain, Ur win peers’ recognition

   Two township police officers have been selected by their peers as the force’s “top cops” for 2013.
   Patrolmen David Ur, who has been with the department for 19 years, and Thomas McLain, a 15-year veteran, won the praise from fellow officers.
   The Top Cop program was started in 1996 to recognize the overall performance of an officer on each of the two patrol squads. The officers are selected by votes cast by the patrol division commander, each squad patrol sergeant, each squad’s patrol corporal and all the officers assigned to each squad.
   The process is broken down to four equal parts:
   • The officer’s yearly evaluations, completed by their sergeant;
   • The patrol division commander (lieutenant’s) opinion;
   • Patrol corporals’ opinion, and
   • The votes of peer officers.
   An attendance bonus is awarded based on the number of sick incidents within the year.
   Officers participating in the voting look at the officers’ overall production, conduct, job knowledge, experience and dedicated service.
   ”I think it means a lot to the officers selected because it formally recognizes the officer’s individual efforts and actions made throughout the year,” said Chief Paul Kaminsky. “They are also selected by not only by their individual supervisors, but also by their peers, which I think is a great honor.”
   Winners receive an acknowledgment letter in their personnel files. Their name goes on the Top Cop plaque in the lobby of police headquarters. They both receive a special bar for their uniform and both receive a $50 check for dinner.