Don’t miss this chance to nominate a dedicated officer, a unique enforcement strategy, an outstanding program or person that has had success in reducing drunk or impaired driving in your jurisdiction.

Since 1995, Mothers Against Drunk Driving has proudly hosted an annual recognition event to present awards acknowledging outstanding efforts and achievements to deter drunk driving. Formally called the “Safe & Sober Awards,” this recognition opportunity is supported by the agencies of Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, the STOP DWI Association of New York and the state’s prominent police associations.

Nominations are now being accepted for the “MADD Recognition Award” in categories for individual police officers, enforcement agencies, STOP-DWI Coordinators and other individuals that have made a significant contribution to reducing the occurrence of drunk driving and its consequences within the state. The awards will be presented at Mallozzi’s Restaurant in Schenectady on November 18, 2008.

In award deliberation, special consideration will be given to those individuals or departments who created an innovative approach, unique enforcement strategy, or who have developed a program that has had a positive impact from January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2007.

The criterion for each of the award categories is outlined on the attached nomination forms. The endorsement of your county STOP-DWI Coordinator will strengthen your application. Please take a moment to reward an agency or individual you know to be worthy of one of these coveted awards. The categories are as follows:

• Law Enforcement Agency Award: highlights an Agency or Departments efforts in deterring drunk driving.
• Agency command endorses the nomination on behalf of the department.
• Awards segmented by department size.
• Individual Officer Award: recognizes the contribution of an individual officer’s efforts.
• Nomination to be submitted by the Agency command; one form per nomination.
• Awards segmented by department size.
• Individual Contribution Award: showcases individuals who have made a significant contribution to reducing the occurrence of impaired driving within the state. Open to any individual, including non-officers.
• Any police agency, STOP-DWI coordinator, traffic safety professional or MADD chapter may nominate an individual for this category.

Award recipients will be chosen from applications received by the deadline, September 26, 2008. Send forms to the attention of Donna Kopec by fax at (518) 782-1803. Questions may be directed to Donna at (518) 785-6233. Copies of this announcement and the nomination fill-in forms can be downloaded at the GTSC’s website www.SafeNY.com, click on Law Enforcement.