Plainfield Officer, Civilian Of The Year Honored

PLAINFIELD, IL — The Plainfield Police Department is proud to announce the recipients of the Officer and Civilian of the Year Awards for 2018.

OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2018

Sgt. Jeremiah “Zach” Zigterman is the recipient of the Plainfield Police Department’s 2018 Officer of the Year. This award recognizes officers whose service to both the Department and the Village is exceptional and professional. The men and women of the Police Department nominate officers they consider worthy of the highest degree of recognition.

Sergeant Zigterman was hired as a Police Officer by the Village of Plainfield on Sept. 2, 2004. On May 5, 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and has since been a supervisor assigned to the midnight patrol shift.

During his 14 years of service with the Village of Plainfield, Sergeant Zigterman has served as a patrol officer as well as a school resource officer (SRO) for the Plainfield East High School.

Additionally, he has been the police department’s lead Defensive Tactics Instructor since 2012 and continually provides the officers within the agency the legal knowledge as well as the appropriate tactics and techniques of defensive tactics. Sgt. Zigterman also oversees the police department’s internship program and does a tremendous job in assuring each intern receives the appropriate amount of experience and knowledge to prepare them for a career in a criminal justice field, such as law enforcement.

During his career, Sgt. Zigterman has received several department awards and letters of recognition, which have included a life-saving award in 2016 and the prestigious Meritorious Conduct Award in 2018.

Sgt. Zigterman does an outstanding job in assuring his personnel are provided the necessary amount of guidance and support to carry out the police department’s overall mission.

In closing, Sgt. Zigterman is a true professional, who is always willing to help others. His attentiveness and attention to detail is beyond approach. He is a true asset to the Plainfield Police Department and continues to enhance the image of the Plainfield Police Department.

CIVILIAN OF THE YEAR 2018

Community Service Officer (CSO) Claudine Paler is the recipient of the Plainfield Police Department’s 2018 Civilian of the Year. This award recognizes civilians whose service to both the Department and the Village is exceptional and professional. The men and women of the Police Department nominate civilians they consider worthy of the highest degree of recognition.

CSO Paler was hired as a part-time CSO on June 21, 2004. On Sept. 19, 2005, CSO Paler was reclassified as a full-time CSO. On Jan. 8, 2007, CSO Paler was appointed as the Officer-In-Charge Community Service Officer.

During her past 14 years with the Village of Plainfield, Claudine has been a very professional and dedicated employee always performing her work while maintaining a positive attitude and smile. She continually performs at an exceptional level and constantly exceeds what is expected from her immediate supervisor.

CSO Paler has received several awards recognizing her dedication and work ethic. Most notably are the numbers of letters of gratitude the police department has received from various people throughout the community, who have taken the time to express their gratitude for the services she offered each of them or a family member.

In closing, CSO Paler exhibits all the necessary traits and work ethic of an exemplary employee. As a result, she is well deserving of being this year’s recipient of the Civilian of the Year.

Submitted by the Plainfield Police Department