UNM Police Chief Kathy Guimond recently announced the selection of Officer Daniel Gallegos and Dispatcher Charles Baca as the University of New Mexico Police Department’s Officer and Civilian Employees of the Year for 2006.
Guimond cited Gallegos’ leadership among his peers as selection of Officer of the Year. During 2006, Gallegos was proactive in identifying and addressing a number of issues on the University campus that impacted our community.
In one instance, Gallegos responded to a series of vending machine burglaries on campus and developed an action plan to identify potential locations for future incidents. He then worked with his supervisors to set up plain-clothes surveillance in these areas. As a direct result of his initiative, Gallegos and Sergeant Peter Rogahn observed a vending machine burglary in progress and were able to arrest two suspects in the act.
Later in the year, Gallegos worked with other officers on his shift to identify a subject who was suspected in several bicycle thefts on campus. Gallegos and Officer Deanne Rush reviewed old bicycle theft reports, set up surveillance in areas where the thefts were occurring and eventually identified a suspect in these cases.
Using this information, UNMPD officers were able to develop a plan to respond to future thefts, which might enable them to intercept the thief as he left campus. Officers eventually caught the suspect in April 2007 and campus bicycle theft rates were reduced by 95 percent. Gallegos’ dedication to proactive policing led to the apprehension of two suspects and shows how proactive policing can make an impact in our community.
Guimond pointed to Baca’s self-initiative during 2006 as the reason for his selection as the Civilian Employee of the Year. During 2006, Baca sought out opportunities to expand his knowledge and contributions to the department’s mission by looking to improve the efficiency of a number of important department functions. Baca expressed an interest in learning more about evidence and property controls in the department and sought out training in this area, which he could bring back to the department.
After receiving training, he assisted the department’s primary evidence technician in an audit of all of our property and evidence. As a result of this initiative, the rightful owners of several pieces of this property were located and their property was returned, and a more efficient process for tagging and tracking property was developed and implemented.
Baca then sought out other opportunities to contribute to the department and completed background investigation training and taught himself how to use records and computer searches to locate public records which has assisted detectives and officers in more quickly locating vital information needed for their investigations.
During 2006, Baca’s initiatives allowed the department to more efficiently perform its mission, especially in two critical areas of property management and investigations. His knowledge and skills in these areas is an asset to the department and the community.
Both Gallegos and Baca were recommended by their peers for the Officer and Civilian of the Year awards. Nominations were reviewed by the department’s Awards Committee, which includes officers, civilian employees, supervisors and previous award winners, and final recommendations are presented to the Chief of Police.
Guimond formally recognized Gallegos and Baca in front of their family and friends at the department’s annual awards ceremony held at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge last Friday.
She noted, “Danny and Charles have each shown how that person can make a huge difference at UNM, and especially in the Police Department. I am happy to affirm the nominations of their peers and recognize the hard work each has shown during the year.”
The University of New Mexico Police Department serves the University of New Mexico’s Albuquerque campus, and currently employs sworn police officers, a full security and support staff and operates the University’s 911 dispatch center. Additional information is available on the department’s Web site, UNM Police Department.
Media Contact: Lt. Patrick Davis, (505) 277-9507; e-mail: pdavis1@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at July 30, 2007 03:11 PM