1 Monroe Center, N.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-2906

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APPROVED: Chief Kevin R. Belk FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: FOR RELEASE: March 18, 2011 Lieutenant Ralph Mason Phone: 616-456-3619 Fax: 616-456-3490

POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AND

CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR SELECTED FOR 2010

The Grand Rapids Police Department is pleased to announce its Police Officer of the Year for 2010, Officer Robert Stanton, and Civilian Employee of the Year, Gayle King. Both were selected from nominations submitted to the Department’s Board of Awards by Service Area, Division, and Unit Commanders.

POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR Officer Robert Stanton

Prior to his employment with the City of Grand Rapids, Officer Stanton worked with the Grand Rapids Public Schools on the security staff. In 1985, Officer Stanton began his career with the Grand Rapids Police Department as a patrol officer. In addition to his work in patrol, Officer Stanton has been assigned to the former Neighborhood Patrol Unit, and is currently assigned to the Vice Unit. Officer Stanton has proven himself to be an effective and well respected investigator. He is very knowledgeable in the area of drug trafficking and has consistently used that knowledge to help reduce the influence of illegal drugs in our community. During 2010, Officer Stanton’s dedication, diligence, and superior work ethic resulted in the seizure of a substantial amount of illegal drugs, the proceeds of drug trafficking, and numerous firearms. Our neighborhoods are safer because of his work. Officer Robert Stanton is the recipient of many awards: four Meritorious Unit Citations, three Team Performance Awards, two Commendation Awards, the Achievement Award, and numerous letters of commendation. He was also previously nominated for Police Officer of the Year in 1995 and 2009. Eight other officers were nominated for Police Officer of the Year by their commanding officers. They are:

Sergeant Lawrence Poleski Officer Kevin Gilbert Officer Adam Baylis Officer Patrick Harig Officer Brad Bush Officer Dennis Jessee Officer Adam Host Officer Donald Lake

NEWS RELEASE Grand Rapids Police Department

1 Monroe Center, N.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-2906

News Release Page Two March 18, 2011

CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Gayle King In addition to the Police Officer of the Year, the Grand Rapids Police Department also honors its 2010 Civilian Employee of the year. This year’s recipient is Gayle King, Financial Assistant II, with the Support Services Division. Gayle has been employed by the city of Grand Rapids for 22 years. She started with the city in 1989 working in the Income Tax Department. She was soon promoted to a position at the Grand Rapids Police Department. Gayle’s primary responsibilities include purchasing, accounts payable and receivable, administration of the False Alarm Enforcement Program, and budget preparation. Gayle is a dedicated employee who routinely goes above and beyond to meet the many deadlines that her job requires. She is knowledgeable and continually strives to find efficiencies in the processes and procedures that she works with on a daily basis. Gayle was also selected as Civilian Employee of the Year in 1993 and was previously nominated for Civilian Employee of the year in 1991 and 1992. She has received an Award of Merit along with letters of commendation. Gayle is married to Michel, an avid outdoorsman. They enjoy spending their free time hunting, fishing, and camping with their three children and six grandchildren on their property near Big Rapids. Gayle also enjoys sewing and gardening. The following employees were also nominated for Civilian Employee of the Year:

CST Sheila Brow ECO Judy Hebert The awards will be formally presented to the recipients at the Grand Rapids Police Department’s Twenty-eighth Annual Awards Dinner, which will be held on Monday evening, March 21, 2011, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, located at 187 Monroe Avenue, NW. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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