Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Both the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and the Warsaw Police Department were honored at the 12th Annual Operation Pull Over Banquet Friday in Carmel.
More than 40 awards were given to city, county and state law enforcement agencies that participated in the Operation Pull Over campaigns funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department received the award for small sheriff's department in the Big City/Big County Sheriff's Departments category. Sgt. Chad Hill is the coordinator for the Kosciusko County seat belt enforcement program.
Under Hill's leadership, the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department has improved each year. Last year, KCSD officers worked 178 seat belt enforcement zones and averaged at least three contacts per hour and more than two occupant protection contacts per hour.
The Warsaw Police Department received the award for small police department in the Big City/Big County Police Departments division. Lt. Kip Shuter is coordinator for the Warsaw Police Department's program.
In the past year, Warsaw police officers worked 95 seat belt enforcement zones, writing 219 seat belt and child restraint citations during that time. The enforcement activities were publicized in area newspapers and schools.
"On behalf of Governor Mitch Daniels, we want to recognize the outstanding efforts of our men and women in law enforcement," Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Executive Director Michael Cunegin said. "The award recipients demonstrated an exceptional commitment to reducing the number of crashes and traffic-related fatalities on Indiana's Roadways."
Operation Pull Over relies on a dual strategy involving highly visible law enforcement and heightened public awareness, which combined, is intended to reduce impaired driving and increase seat belt usage in Indiana. Operation Pull Over is structured in four quarterly campaigns annually, with each one consisting of three weeks of public awareness using television and radio advertising and two weeks of increased enforcement.
