The Cinnaminson Police Department held its annual awards dinner on Wednesday night.
The department used to hold the awards dinner years ago and it was brought to Director of Public Safety Michael King that it be reinstituted when he was hired.
“We’ve been doing it for the six years I’ve been here now,” King said. “Tom Lillagore first brought it to me to consider.”
The awards are nominated and voted on by a committee that is made up of the officers.
King is not on the committee.
“The dinner is by the police officers, for the police officers. I do not sit on the committee that nominates or evaluates the officers. They make the nominations and review them. They are the ones who come forward with the awards. You are chosen by your peers.”
For King, the night is rewarding to sit back and see how professional the officers are.
“I see it day to day, the quality of work they do. These are truly meaningful officers and the committee is able to differentiate between good police work and going over and above their job.”
Detective Sergeant Rich Calabrese (Officer of the Year) and Police Officer Michael Czarzasty (Distinguished Service Award) took home big awards Wednesday night.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t say there’s many people deserving of those awards. Some have been recognized already and some will be recognized in the future.”
King spoke to the merits of both Czarzasty and Calabrese.
“As far as Mike Czarzasty, he has been at the forefront of my community policing initiative since I got here. National Night Out speaks for itself and it really was the basis for the award. He took the ideas and ran with them. Rich Calabrese is a go-to guy, a hard worker. He clearly sees there shouldn’t be any lines between the patrol division and detective division.”
The officers also took part in an Ugly Sweater competition during the awards dinner, showing up dressed in their best version of an ugly holiday sweater.
“This is something that the masses wanted,” King said. “They wanted to have it be a little different from the past, where it had always been suit and tie. They wanted to go with the theme of ugly Christmas sweaters and they ran with it.”
The following awards were presented:
Citizen’s Award : Matthew Bacon, Michael Bray, William Diamantakos, Thomas Dolan, and James T. Griffin Jr.
Years of Service: Director Michael P. King (5 years), P/O Timothy Obuchowski (15 years), and P/O Michael Czarzasty (15 years)
Life Saving Award: Sgt William Obuchowski, P/O Timothy Obuchowski, P/O Roy Wagner, P/O Tommy Picou, P/O Michael Curran, P/O John Gannon, P/O Mark Berardis, and P/O Kyle Hess.
Exceptional Service Award: Sgt. Kevin Bohn, D/Sgt. Richard Calabrese, Det. Raymond J. Shaw, Det. Thomas Lillagore, P/O Michael Curran, P/O Garrett McLaverty, and P/O Mark Berardis.
Unit Citation: Sgt William Obuchowski, Sgt Kevin Bohn, D/Sgt Richard Calabrese, P/O Susan Stoneback, P/O Fred Rock, Det. Raymond J. Shaw, P/O Timothy Obuchowski, P/O Michael Czarzasty, P/O Dennis Vittese, Det Thomas Lillagore, P/O Michael Curran, P/O Garrett McLaverty, and P/O John Gannon.
Distinguished Service Award: P/O Michael Czarzasty
Officer of the Year: D/Sgt Richard Calabrese
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