FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2017
Contact:
Kraig Troxell, Media Relations and Communications Manager, 703-771-5278
Kraig.Troxell@loudoun.gov
Alex Kowalski, Public Information Officer, 703-777-0625
Aleksandra.Kowalski@loudoun.gov
LCSO Receives First Responder Agency of the Year Award
Loudoun County- The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) was recognized as the First Responder Agency of the Year on December 13 by the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce at the Stars over Dulles event.
Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman was presented the award by Mr. James Lawson, Chairman, and John Boylan, President/CEO of the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce. “It is an honor to receive this award on behalf of the Loudoun Sheriff’s Office and we appreciate this recognition from the business commmunity of our programs and the great work of our staff,” said Sheriff Chapman.
The award stems from the national recognition and national attention the LCSO received in 2017 for the agency’s education, enforcement and outreach efforts. Some of the programs highlighted during the event included the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), its whole-of-government approach to combating the heroin epidemic, the 30th anniversary of the D.A.R.E. program and community awareness programs such as No-Shave November.
This month, just five years after Sheriff Chapman initiated CIT for staff, the LCSO reached 100% of all uniformed patrol deputies with two or more years on patrol trained in CIT. Sheriff Chapman, after assessing the number of incidents involving mental illness in the county, far exceeded the initial goal of having 25% of sworn staff trained.
The LCSO’s efforts to combat the heroin epidemic in Loudoun continues and is one of few agencies in the region to see a decrease in opioid overdoses and fatalities. Through the efforts of enforcement, education and rehabilitation to combat the heroin epidemic, fatal heroin overdoses have decreased 35% in Loudoun compared to this same time last year and non-fatal heroin related overdoses have decreased 10% during the same time period.
The agency’s unwavering support of the D.A.R.E. program brought national recognition to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in 2017 when Sheriff Chapman was honored to accept the DEA/D.A.R.E America Law Enforcement Executive of the Year award on behalf of our Sheriff’s Office. The award recognizes the LCSO’s extraordinary commitment to drug prevention and enforcement. D.A.R.E. celebrated 30 years in Loudoun County this school year.
The LCSO has been involved in numerous community outreach efforts to include the Cole’s Closet Toy drive which delivers toys to children hospitalized in Loudoun during the holiday season, and has partnered with the Easter Bunny Foundation and for the first time was involved in the No-Shave November campaign. The fundraiser allowed deputies to grow beards during the month of November and raise monies for cancer research and help educate residents about preventative measures. With the help of Loudoun residents, the agency raised over $13,500. The LCSO was one of the top fundraisers among law enforcement agencies nationwide who participated in the campaign.
The Stars Over Dulles Awards is an annual event hosted by the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce and is it to honor those extraordinary businesses and citizens in our region who enhance our economy and quality of life through their excellent vision and initiatives.
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