Lexington, SC (May 4, 2018) – Chief Terrence Green is honored to announce that the Lexington Police Department was presented several awards at the recent South Carolina Department of Public Safety 2017 DUI Enforcement Recognition & Law Enforcement DUI Challenge which was held on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina.
The Lexington Police Department was selected as the “Agency of the Year” in the category of a police agency with 51-100 officers. During 2017, officers made 200 DUI arrests while committing four officers to the Traffic Division, including two officers who are on a Target Zero grant program. Officers within the Traffic Division attended several hundred hours of advanced training and instructor level courses through the year to achieve Traffic Safety Officer (TSO) or Traffic Safety Instructor (TSI) certifications.
Education and DUI prevention continue to be a focus with officers teaching over 600 teenage students in programs like Alive at 25 while promoting innovative programs like the Designated Driver “Be a Friend for Life” Program, which allows sober designated drivers to drink non-alcoholic beverages at many of the restaurants and bars within the Town of Lexington by wearing a blue silicone band and Operation Safe Tow where local tow services provide a ride and vehicle tow within 15 miles of the Town of Lexington for a flat fee of $100.
Patrolman First Class Nick Thompson was presented with the “Officer of the Year” award for a police agency with 51-100 officers. During 2017, PFC. Nick Thompson had 56 DUI arrests and he achieved advanced training and certifications in traffic enforcement and instructor level courses while training hundreds of teens in safe driving and prevention instruction.
The Lexington Police Department was also presented a “2017 DUI Challenge Award” for being active participants of the 11th Circuit Law Enforcement Network with area agencies.
Of the 200 DUI arrests made by the Lexington Police Department in 2017, the following officers were recognized with Gold, Silver and Bronze awards for their efforts. Gold awardees were Patrolman First Class Ridge Alewine with 60 DUI arrests and Patrolman First Class Nick Thompson with 56 DUI arrests. A silver award was given to Patrolman First Class Brian Payton with 37 DUI arrests. Bronze awardees were Officer Brandon Hassler with 21 DUI arrests and Officer Shawn Ludwig with 11 DUI arrests.
