By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
PLAINSBORO — With family and friends looking on, Police Officer Daniel Reichard was presented with a plaque in honor of being named the Plainsboro Township Police Department’s 2015 Officer of the Year at Township Committee’s meeting Wednesday night.
Chief of Police Guy Armour presented Officer Reichard with the plaque, noting that the award does not come from him — it comes from the 36-member police department. The police officers choose from among their ranks and vote on the nominees.
Each of the six police sergeants nominates an officer from among his squad. The six nominees are interviewed by a committee and the number is whittled down to three candidates. All of the officers vote on the three finalists, and the officer who receives the most votes is named the Officer of the Year, Chief Armour said.
“Officer Reichard is a popular officer. He exemplifies everything we have come to expect of police officers in the Plainsboro Township Police Department. He has been recognized by his peers to be a leader. He presents a positive image for law enforcement,” Chief Armour said.
Deputy Mayor Neil Lewis also praised the 33-year-old Officer Reichard. The deputy mayor said he interviewed Officer Reichard during the application process, along with Chief Armour and former Township Administrator Robert Sheehan. He said that naming Officer Reichard to be the Officer of the Year is an “excellent choice.”
Officer Reichard was hired by Plainsboro Township officials in 2010. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, including two tours of duty in Iraq. He was a machine gunner and radio operator. He earned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal during his service in Iraq.
After the ceremony, Officer Reichard said it felt “nice” to be honored. He said he works with “great guys” in the Plainsboro Township Police Department.
Officer Reichard said that as he considered his options after leaving the U.S. Marine Corps, he noticed an advertisement for police officers. He thought it might be a good fit, and he applied and was subsequently hired.
“Here I am,” Officer Reichard said with a smile.
