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You are here: Home / Archives for Exceptional performance

Exceptional performance

FDLE Members recognized for exceptional performance

Posted on May 14, 2018

FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen honored FDLE’s top performers today at the department’s Annual Awards Ceremony.  Members were recognized for their outstanding performances during 2017.  In total, more than 200 members were nominated.

“It is always gratifying to look back on our FDLE members’ accomplishments, and last year was no exception,” said FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen. “While each nomination was unique, there was a common denominator – outstanding performance. It is a pleasure to recognize the winners of this year’s awards.”

Award winners are as follows: 

Special Agent of the Year – Daniel Mehler, Special Agent, Fort Myers Regional Operations Center

This award recognizes commendable investigative or intelligence activity by a sworn member. The culmination of an investigation, coordinated by Special Agent Mehler and assisted by dozens of investigators and support personnel, resulted in the dismantling of a long standing statewide criminal organization which previously operated with impunity in southwest Florida.  Seventeen defendants have been arrested and $763,000 in U.S. currency, a vehicle and two buildings have been seized. This organization is no longer in the business of prostitution and trafficking of women to work in the illegal commercial sex trade.

Capitol Police Officer of the Year – Marcus Spradley, Corporal, Capitol Police

This award recognizes an officer for a significant contribution or series of contributions in support of the goals of the Capitol Police. In 2017, Corporal Spradley was selected to be the training coordinator. In addition to this new position and his previous responsibilities of being a field training officer, he was selected as a new member of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team. Corporal Spradley has taken his new assignments in stride and with gusto and has spent many hours this past year teaching and assisting officers in and out of the classroom.

Commissioner’s Award Winner – Media Center Team, Bureau of Professional Development, FDLE Headquarters  

  • Eric Bouquio
  • Saeedeh Posey
  • Chris Kenworthy

The recipients of this award are chosen by the Commissioner and it gives special recognition to the “unsung” heroes whose performance is outstanding yet low profile within the Department. Whether videography, photography, audio engineering, graphic design or any media-related product is needed, this team is always responsive and provides a first-rate product that showcases who FDLE is and what we do. Examples of their work include creation of videos that show the development and growth of the Florida Fusion Center and the fusion center network and helping overhaul the Sexual Offender/Predator Registry website. 

Forensic Scientist of the Year – Kesha White, Crime Laboratory Analyst, Pensacola Regional Operations Center

This award is given to a laboratory member who advances forensic science by implementing new or improved technology, methods development or professional expertise. Ms. White has worked tirelessly both on a national level developing standards, and as an active, productive member of her professional organizations for many years. Her duties have increased over the years which included both principal instructor and technical leader duties during 2017. She has a nationally recognized reputation as a leader in her field and has been asked to serve as a member on many outstanding national and international committees.

Distinguished Member of the Year – Michelle Faircloth, Senior Management Analyst Supervisor, Business Support Services, FDLE Headquarters  

This award is given to a member who demonstrates superior performance or who accomplishes a significant achievement. This member consistently performs above and beyond to provide exceptional service to internal or external customers. Last year, Ms. Faircloth provided improvement to the timeliness of the purchase order issuance process. She was also instrumental in arranging the purchase of Naloxone, a medication used to block the effects of opioids, for FDLE sworn and crime lab members.

Distinguished Support Member of the Year –Tina Horne, Administrative Assistant II, Jacksonville Regional Operations Center

This award goes to a member who has demonstrated consistent, superior results with accuracy, timeliness, enthusiasm, dedication, pride and initiative. Ms. Horne’s efforts allowed the Jacksonville Regional Operations Center to use building space more efficiently, have more useable member work space, improved access to supplies for emergency and normal response for both sworn and non-sworn members, and avoided a costly laboratory equipment repair. All of these demanding projects were accomplished in addition to her normal responsibilities as property coordinator which includes managing the regional office’s fleet of vehicles.

Excellence in Leadership – Jason Hitt, Crime Laboratory Analyst Supervisor, Jacksonville Regional Operations Center

This award recognizes a member who exemplifies excellence in leadership by paving the way for other members to shine. Under Mr. Hitt’s leadership, the productivity of the crime laboratory’s chemistry section increased and the turnaround time of the members also improved. The quality of the work performed never deviated from FDLE’s high standards while the section fulfilled the equivalent of 7,165 service requests. He is engaged and available, offering consistency and leadership.  He encourages and promotes high performance standards and a quality work product.  

Distinguished Team of the Year – Business Support Emergency Response Team, FDLE Headquarters

  • Charlotte Fraser
  • Mike Moore
  • David Henderson
  • Brandon Perry
  • Stephanie Hendry
  • Terri Speed
  • Annamarie Whatley
  • Susan Rich
  • Joy Brady
  • Terri Brusca
  • Shaneka George
  • Stephanie Young
  • Jim Foster

This award recognizes a team that has demonstrated superior performance or accomplished a significant achievement. The Business Support Emergency Response Team (BSERT) has a critical role when FDLE responds to natural or man-made disasters. While they may not be the actual boots on the ground, they spend many hours working diligently behind the scenes to ensure that agents, analysts and other responders are able to get the emergency supplies they need and are ready to deploy throughout the state when needed. In 2017, emergency orders were issued for Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Tropical Storm Nate and the Opioid Epidemic. BSERT members were prepared and quickly responded to each emergency with devotion to FDLE members. 

Innovation of the Year – New Firearm Eligibility System Implementation Team, Criminal Justice Information Services, FDLE Headquarters 

  • Mike Courtemanche
  • Jameson Schnetzler
  • Nelson Ocampo
  • Antonio Emata
  • Robin Sparkman

This recognition is awarded to a member or group who successfully implements a cutting-edge and creative service, program or product that provides new benefits to FDLE, the criminal justice community or the public.  The Firearm Eligibility System, an application that processes firearm related background checks, was originally rolled out in March of 2012. While considered state-of-the-art at the time, FES had been tweaked and modified to the maximum extent possible. In order to gain additional efficiency a complete re-write was necessary. A team was assembled and began work on a technology refresh and retooling and in July 2017, the upgraded version was placed into production.  On Friday, November 24, 2017, the busiest shopping day of the year, the Firearms Purchase Program processed a record breaking 10,976 transactions while maintaining an average processing time under two minutes.

Contribution to Criminal Justice – eWarrants Implementation Team, Criminal Justice Information Services, FDLE Headquarters

  • Lee Herring
  • Jeremy Burns
  • Amanda Taylor
  • Susie Murphy
  • Isis Crespo

This award is presented to a member or team that has made a single significant contribution or a series of contributions in support of the goals of the criminal justice community. In January of 2017, the first eWarrant was served. The eWarrants system is a web-based application designed to establish a standardized electronic process for requesting, approving, and entering arrest warrants into the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) /National Crime Information Center (NCIC). The work of this team has improved public safety by increasing the number of warrants entered into the systems, reducing the possibility of data entry errors and providing public safety information sooner.  The criminal justice community can work more efficiently, with fewer errors and public safety is enhanced. These benefits could not be realized without the dedicated work of the eWarrants deployment team.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Exceptional performance, FDLE

FDLE Members recognized for exceptional performance

Posted on August 15, 2017

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam along with FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen honored FDLE’s top performers today at the department’s Annual Awards Ceremony. Members were recognized for their outstanding performances during 2016. In total, more than 200 members were nominated.
“Our dedicated law enforcement officers deserve all the support we can provide, and I’m honored to celebrate some of the best and brightest at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement annual awards ceremony,” said Commissioner Putnam. “Their innovation and hard work continues to keep Floridians and visitors safe.”
“It is a pleasure to recognize the winners of this year’s awards,” said FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen. “The dedication of these professionals to seek excellence in their work performance is a reflection of their commitment to FDLE’s core values of service, integrity, respect and quality.”
Award winners are as follows:
Special Agent of the Year – Don Cannon, Special Agent, Miami Regional Operations Center
This award recognizes commendable investigative or intelligence activity by a sworn member. Special Agent Cannon is assigned to the region’s Cyber/High Tech Crime Squad and FBI Child Exploitation Task Force that focuses on abducted children, human trafficking and investigations of child pornography. In 2016, SA Cannon was leader of an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a Florida resident engaging in the international sex trafficking of children, child exploitation and sex tourism in Medellin, Colombia. This complex investigation resulted in the first time a U.S. Attorney ever charged a suspect with Child Sex Tourism.
Distinguished Team of the Year – Electronic Surveillance Support Team, Orlando Regional Operations Center
FDLE

  • Andrew Watts
  • Arthur Brewster
  • Jeff Duncan
  • Jeff Timmons
  • Amanda Stephens
  • Kerri Plaza
  • Kevin Bass

Orange County Sheriff’s Office

  • Adalberto “Sam” Lopez
  • Collin Bruce
  • Rod Dantes
  • Reshma Persaud
  • Bill Gabrielski

Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

  • Justin Zeigler

Orlando Police Department

  • Jerome Kenon

Brevard County Sheriff’s Office

  • Tim Hart

The Orlando Regional Operations Center Electronic Surveillance Support Team is an FDLE-led task force, with members from FDLE as well as the Brevard, Orange and Seminole County Sheriffs’ Offices and the Orlando Police Department, which supports criminal investigations throughout the Orlando region.
The work done by this team resulted in 200 arrests, predominantly for violent crime, in 2016.
Commissioner’s Award Winner – Zane Harrell, Security Agent Supervisor, FDLE Headquarters/Tallahassee Regional Operations Center
The recipient of this award is chosen by the Commissioner and gives special recognition to an “unsung” hero whose performance is outstanding yet low profile within the Department. This award is established for those who provide outstanding performance from “the trenches.”  In 2016 Mr. Harrell was integral to the success of FDLE Headquarters security enhancements and assisted in the development and training of the department’s Active Shooter Training Program.
Distinguished Member of the Year – Holly Williams, Senior Crime Intelligence Analyst II, Office of Executive Investigation, FDLE Headquarters  
This award is given to a member who demonstrates superior performance or who accomplishes a significant achievement. Holly Williams is tasked with investigating allegations of criminal or other misconduct on the part of elected and public officials in Florida. In 2016 she used her expert analytical skills to identify a fraud ring which resulted in the arrest and successful prosecution of six individuals who defrauded the state of $190,000.  She was also instrumental in identifying two main subjects of another fraud ring that recruited single mothers to file fraudulent checks through the state’s child support system, resulting in more than $109,000 in losses to the state. 
Forensic Scientist of the Year – Carol Seagle, Crime Laboratory Analyst, Tallahassee Regional Operations Center
This award is given to a laboratory member who advances forensic science by implementing new or improved technology, methods development or professional expertise. Carol Seagle is a dedicated and skilled professional whose positive attitude, attention to detail and willingness to accept additional responsibilities are critical to both the Tallahassee Regional Crime Laboratory’s and Toxicology discipline’s provision of important services to assist law enforcement in the investigation of crime. In 2016, she was the principle instructor for seven analysts, as well as performing well above her casework standard by completing 1,390 work units, nearly three times above her work unit expectations.
Distinguished Support Member of the Year – Sara Hill, Forensic Technologist, Tallahassee Regional Operations Center
Forensic Technologist Hill was solely responsible for working the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network-only cases within the region’s Firearms Section and she helped reduce turnaround times statewide in the Firearms discipline. During 2016, she worked approximately 160 cases from other FDLE regional labs and completed a total of 591 cases for the year, which was 23 percent above standard. She also testified 13 times, including six times in other regions, which often requires a significant time out of the office.  
Excellence in Leadership – Charlotte Fraser, Chief of Financial Support Services, FDLE Headquarters 
Chief Fraser manages FDLE’s Office of Financial Management, which includes over 30 members who are responsible for the agency’s accounting and financial management/reporting. In her role she also serves as the department’s Chief Financial Officer,  which carries tremendous responsibility and oversight for the accounting and financial management for the agency.
Capitol Police Officer of the Year – Douglas Stribling, Investigator, Capitol Police
Officer Stribling provided logistical assistance at the 2016 Missing Children’s Day event at the Capitol and continually assists the Honor Guard Team by traveling on short notice to ensure events are properly supported.  He provided crucial office support within the Capitol Access Card Section and Background Unit by working over 200 background checks of various Capitol Complex vendors, employees, and other personnel. In addition to his investigative duties, Officer Stribling helped the Capitol Police Patrol Unit in a uniformed capacity and assisted on fixed posts and with Legislative Session details as needed.               
Innovation of the Year – Operation Locator II Team, FDLE Headquarters

  • Alan Moses
  • Jon Roddenberry
  • Stephanee Hires
  • Kathy Cutler
  • Robert McNeal
  • Debbie Payne
  • Amari Bennett
  • Chad Hoffman
  • Jeremy Gordon
  • Brad Carrozza
  • Rob Moon
  • Sue Burton
  • Cindy Durrett
  • Pam Bullard
  • Rahul Gupta
  • Gopi Dasari
  • Shishir More

The Operation Locator II team worked to locate high risk sex offenders living in Florida.  
Contribution to Criminal Justice – Intelligence Watch and Warning Desk, FDLE Headquarters

  • Melanie Walker
  • Ryan Phenix
  • Keith Wilson
  • Alfonso Lowry
  • James “Devin” Lovett
  • Allison Kempel
  • Daniel Easter
  • Bobbie Winn
  • Lindsey Cole
  • Alan Taylor
  • Kyle Brannon
  • Nikolai Patrick
  • Shamekia Collins
  • Gregory Miller

The Intelligence Watch and Warning Desk responds to a wide variety of intelligence and investigative requests and acts as the state’s domestic security sentinel, providing vital situational awareness. In 2016, Watch and Warning Desk analysts answered 54,000 calls for assistance, maintained 2,700 intelligence flags, made 8,000 notifications, wrote 1,600 investigative reports, triaged 1,100 suspicious activity reports, processed 1800 requests for Florida driver’s licenses and made notification on 66 crime scene call outs and 77 officer involved shootings.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Exceptional performance, FDLE

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