Saying it didn't take him long to recognize the caliber of officers he was working with in Brockport, the chief decided to take the knowledge public and begin a recognition program within the department. "It's easy to take for granted the officers and the job they do," Brockport Police Chief Daniel Varrenti said. "I compare these officers to any police department in the state." Varrenti said that Brockport police officers contend with a high number of crimes and have consistently been able to solve them. "We have had a bank robbery, a rape, a home invasion ... and through the officers' diligence, they have all been cleared and the perpetrators are awaiting trial," he said. Friends and family members were invited to the March 11 ceremony in which officers received awards and recognition. The awards committee consists of police officers and community members. Sergeant Mark Cuzzupoli and Officer Steve Mesiti were given the Community Service Award. They were recognized for their continued commitment to the betterment of Brockport through the development and assistance of community programs, Varrenti said. Cuzzupoli was honored for taking charge of directing and promoting the SPARTAC program and for taking part in the organization and development of the newly formed Better Brockport Neighborhood Empowerment Team. During the past year, Varrenti said, Mesiti has researched, organized and brought about the newly formed Brockport Police Explorer program. The program has 11 youth members who have been uniformed and are in the process of being trained in the area of law enforcement. "The Explorers will be very visible at community events and will be seen riding along with, and interacting with, officers of the police department," Varrenti said. On October 12, 2002 Officer Chris Curley was monitoring the Gates Police Channel when he heard a report of a stolen car. Moments later, the car came into the village of Brockport, Curley recognized it and began following the vehicle. Without concern or hesitation for his own safety, Curley pursued the vehicle and stopped it just inches before it crashed into a house. "The suspect got away but Curley's quick and unselfish actions allowed him to recover the vehicle undamaged, prevent a house from being damaged and most importantly, he prevented anyone from getting injured," Varrenti said. Curley received the Commendation Award. Officer Mark Philippy received the Officer of the Month awards for both October and December. In October, Philippy responded to a report of a fight with a stabbing. Philippy began to provide life saving techniques to the victim, which may have played an important role in saving the victim's life. Varrenti said that in December Philippy responded to a complaint of a sodomy/rape and following a thorough investigation he was able to establish evidence that refuted the victim's account of what happened and was able to close this investigation as potentially unfounded. Platoon Commendation Awards were presented to those individuals whose actions, team work and expertise resulted in arrests and apprehension of suspects. Mesiti, Cuzzupoli, Officer Cyr and Dispatcher Nate Connors received these commendations. They were honored for their parts in helping solve a bank robbery that occurred on February 15 at Chase Lincoln Bank. "If it were not for the team work of all these officers and Dispatcher Connors, this suspect would never have been identified, arrested and incarcerated," Varrenti said. Officers Joseph Rozzi and Brian Winant and Sergeant Doug Ziegler were also presented with Platoon Commendations for their response to a rape that occurred on August 17. "Sgt. Ziegler, on his day off, responded to the scene and assumed command of the investigation," Varrenti said. "Officer Rozzi performed all necessary tech work and Officer Winant responded to the hospital and interviewed the victim." Following two days of virtually non stop effort on the parts of the officers, the suspect was identified and subsequently confessed. "The suspect is incarcerated and awaiting an April trial," Varrenti said. "Because of their teamwork, a sexual predator was removed from the streets." Sergeant Charles Klinkbiel, Officers Mesiti and Rozzi and Dispatcher Connors also received Platoon Commendations. They were all involved in working together on a January 13 home invasion call. Connors began broadcasting suspect information, a perimeter was established and the suspects' vehicle was located and stopped and arrests were made. "I've only been at this department for one year," Varrenti said. "And I already recognize the positive work these officers perform every day ... they are heroes in this community." Mayor Josephine Matela said it is important to have a recognition program like the one Varrenti has initiated. "The community needs to recognize what these officers do ... they perform a very special and dangerous job," she said. "This is a recognition program that is long overdue." |
