SFPD Accepts Law Enforcement Excellence Award

The Santa Fe College Police Department accepted the Rocky Pomerance Award for law enforcement excellence from the Florida Police Chiefs Association during a ceremony Tuesday, June 17, in Miami.

The award recognizes agencies who have successfully developed and implemented innovative approaches to policing.

It is the second time SFPD has received the award; the previous time was in 2012. Santa Fe College is one of only two higher education law enforcement agencies to ever win the award.

Santa Fe College Police Chief Ed Book, called the Pomerance Award “a testament to the sworn and civilian members who work at the Santa Fe College Police Department and the support that the College community has to a safe college culture, a Safe Santa Fe.

“It is a big honor.”

SFPD has been recognized many times, including internationally, over the last decade for community policing and excellence in law enforcement.

The Pomerance Award recognized Santa Fe’s efforts related to crime prevention and crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). CPTED focuses on creating environments that deter criminal activity and promote public safety.

Among those efforts:

• Teaching facilities and other college staff principles of safety and design, which includes a Safety and Civility curriculum for college employees.
• Blount Center Partnership: SFPD were integrally involved from the planning stages of Blount Hall to the opening and beyond to help develop a facility “built for safety.” SFPD also invited Gainesville Police experts to review plans and site specs and make needed adjustments.
• Santa Fe College Zoo Partnership that included a complete CPTED and facility assessment, vulnerability assessment and staff training on safer protocols.
• Ensuring high levels of training in preventative concepts in safety and security among SFPD officers and staff.

The Florida Police Chief Association said this award was named in honor of Rocky Pomerance, who has been recognized as exemplifying the image of an innovative and visionary leader who furthered the mission of the Florida Police Chiefs Association and the law enforcement profession within Florida. A practitioner and visionary, Chief Rocky Pomerance, was the Chief of Police of Miami Beach, Florida, from early 1950’s through 1977 and served as the President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police from October 1973 through October 1974.