Last month, the East Cobb Business Association sponsored the third annual East Cobb Public Safety Appreciation Celebration for Precinct 4’s police and personnel. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of Officers of the Year awards presented by Precinct 4’s Major Jerry Quan (pictured above, right).
BENJAMIN R. TAYLOR, FIELD TRAINING OFFICER (FTO) EVENING WATCH OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Benjamin Taylor (pictured above, center) was hired by the Cobb County Police Department in May of 2012 and in February of 2016 he was activated as a Field Training Officer (FTO). FTO Taylor is very knowledgeable in his position as a patrol officer and FTO, and strives daily to better himself. He has already successfully trained two recruits this year, both of whom are now functioning well as solo officers with the department.
FTO Taylor strives to make his recruit, as well as others on the shift, rise above the minimum standards set by the department. He has become a shift leader and is regularly sought out by his fellow officers when they have questions or need advice.
In September of 2016, FTO Taylor received the “Service Above Self’ Award from the Rotary Club of East Cobb for an arrest of an individual who had provided a false name to FTO Taylor. After an investigation, it was discovered the male was a convicted serial rapist who had accidently been released from the Georgia State Prison System in April of this year by mistake after being sentenced to three consecutive life sentences.
One of FTO Taylor’s greatest attributes is his ability to adapt to any situation and get the job done. He never complains and readily accepts any assignment he is given; he then simply gets it done and exceeds in its execution. FTO Taylor has become the standard of what a Cobb County Police Officer should be.
SGT. DAVID THORP, 2016 CIU-4 DETECTIVE OF THE YEAR
Sgt. David Thorp’s professionalism is unparalleled. Upon Sgt. Thorp’s transfer to CIU-4, he began to change the mindset and focus of investigations to identify the recurring offender and, through historical research, secure charges for all criminal activity, rather than the single, particular case assignment. The idea was to focus on the 10% of the population committing 90% of the crime.
This improved way of conducting case investigation has produced a tangible, positive impact on crime. CIU-4 has successfully tracked several patterns of criminal activity to a few different groups committing that particular type of crime. The crime rate of that specific criminal offense has shown to drastically reduce once the respective suspects are arrested. In one example, Sgt. Thorp and Det. Strayhorn worked together to identify a suspect in recurring landscaping thefts. Through researching historical data and related crimes, the individual was charged with 15 separate cases dating back one year.
In another case, he created a link analysis chart identifying a suspect and his associates and friends. As similar criminal activity occurred, he and the unit detectives were able to charge the suspect and several of his associates.
As an officer, Sgt. Thorp worked in CIU-3 and Crimes against Persons. He uses his prior investigative experiences to seize opportunities to not only share his knowledge, but to allow the detectives to develop their own methods of solving problems and gaining knowledge. While carrying a greater caseload than any supervisor of other investigative units, he has still proven to be a valuable mentor to the unit detectives.
Sgt. Thorp is a fine example of the high standards required by the Cobb County Police Department.
LT. NATHAN MCCREARY, MORNING WATCH COMMANDER OF THE YEAR
Lt. McCreary was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in March of 2016. He was assigned to the Morning Watch. Lt. McCreary came from Precinct 2 which covers the South Cobb Area around Six Flags Park. Lt. McCreary was selected for this honor by the officers of the shift. Typically, this honor is for an officer on the shift and not a supervisor. The Officers felt that Lt. McCreary has done an exceptional job of improving the morale and esprit de corps on the Morning Watch.
Since coming to Precinct 4, Lt. McCreary has proven to be a very motivating individual and eager to engage his officers. He maintains a high level of competency and job knowledge. Lt. McCreary has been able to motivate the officers to excel in their performance, consistently leading the Precinct in numerous statistical categories to include DUI Arrests, Traffic Stops, and Traffic Citations. During the month of September, the Precinct 4 Morning Watch lead all of the Uniform Division in Traffic Stops and Citations.
Lt. McCreary was assigned several specialized details by the Chief’s office and selflessly took on the Public Information Officer position during a shortage in that unit.
BLAIR LE VASSEUR KELLY, FIELD TRAINING OFFICER (FTO); DAY WATCH OFFICER OF THE YEAR
FTO Kelly was hired by the Cobb County Police Department in July of 2006 and in August of 2014 he was activated as a Field Training Officer. In April of 2014 Officer Kelly was selected to the Cobb County S.W.A.T. Team.
Since then, FTO Kelly has proven to be highly motivated and eager to teach new recruits. He maintains a high level of competency and knowledge in his job and has consistently been one of the top producers in all categories on the shift. He is the one officer you want responding to any crimes in progress. He is quick to take charge and give commands to younger officers. He is the officer supervisors have confidence in when making high stress decisions. He is a true shift leader and well-liked and respected by all officers.
FTO Kelly sets a high standard for all officers to follow. He is willing to give up an off day if it means another officer gets to be off to spend time with their family. He is a great role model for both younger and older officers to follow. He loves his job with the Cobb County Police and it shows every day he comes to work.
