By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
LAWRENCE — When Police Officer Robert Wagner was hired as a police officer, he never dreamed that he would be named the Lawrence Township Police Officer of the Year.
But Officer Wagner — who began his career as a Police Department dispatcher — was awarded the top honor for 2016 at the Township Council meeting on May 3.
Officer Wagner was one of several police officers and one Police Department civilian employee who were honored by Township Council at the annual awards ceremony, held in conjunction with National Police Week (May 15-21).
Officer Wagner, who received the Chief’s Achievement Award, and Sgt. Christopher Longo, who was named the Supervisor of the Year, were also honored by the Knights of Columbus Council 7000 on May 10.
Officer Wagner worked for five years as a Police Department dispatcher before he was hired as a police officer in 2000, said Chief of Police Mark Ubry. He has been trained as an evidence technician and has processed many crime scenes. He is also a field training officer for new police officers.
“Officer Wagner treats all individuals with dignity and respect, and in doing so, he exemplifies the Police Department’s ‘customer service’ approach to policing,” Chief Ubry said.
He was nominated by his supervisor, who commended his strong work ethic, great attitude and thorough investigative skills, and the assistance he lends to other officers and the community at large, Chief Ubry said. The officer demonstrates those characteristics of outstanding service every day.
“I am truly honored,” Officer Wagner said as he thanked Township Council, and Chief Ubry and the police lieutenants and sergeants who have given him guidance. They all work as a team, he said. He also thanked his family for their support.
Sgt. Longo, who was named Supervisor of the Year, also began his career as a Police Department dispatcher in 1999 and became a police officer in 2001. He was assigned to the Patrol Division and later to the Investigation Division as a detective.
After his promotion to sergeant in 2008, he was in charge of the Quaker Bridge Mall Police Bureau and is now assigned to the Patrol Division as a shift supervisor, Chief Ubry said.
Sgt. Longo has taken the “lead by example” philosophy to supervising, setting the stage for a “highly productive and positive work environment, while also demonstrating a caring attitude which supports his personnel,” Chief Ubry said.
“It is an honor” to be selected as Supervisor of the Year by his peers, Sgt. Longo said. He praised the police officers that he supervises, adding that “they are outstanding police officers who exceed my expectations every day.”
In addition to the Police Officer of the Year and the Supervisor of the Year awards, one police officer and one civilian employee were given the Community Service award. Chief Ubry said the award recognizes officers and employees “who display extraordinary efforts in serving the community, either on-duty or off-duty as a volunteer.”
Detective David E. Burns II was chosen for the Community Service Award — but he could not be there to accept it, because he was participating in the Sunshine Foundation’s Operation Dreamlift visit to Disney World in Florida for special needs children and those with chronic illnesses, Chief Ubry said.
Detective Burns joined the Police Department in 1993, Chief Ubry said. He has been assigned to be the juvenile officer, instructing children through the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) programs, and the Lawrence Township Safety Town program.
In his spare time, Chief Ubry said, Detective Burns volunteers with the Mercer County chapter of the Sunshine Foundation and is currently the Operation Dreamlift coordinator. He is also a volunteer firefighter and since 1986, he has responded to more than 10,000 fire calls, the police chief said.
And Jennifer Thomas, a Police Department civilian employee since 2014, was recognized for helping to plan several events — National Night Out in August and Bring Your Child to Work Day for all municipal employees.
Ms. Thomas also was instrumental in initiating the Police Department’s first Community Easter Egg Hunt earlier this year. “She has embraced the Police Department’s goal of engaging the community in an effort to build stronger police and community partnerships,” Chief Ubry said.
