Troy Police Department Names Officer, Command Officer, Staff of the Year

The following information was provided by the Troy Police Department.

The recently named its 2011 Troy Police Command Officer, Police Officer and Non-Sworn Police Employee of the year. Here are the winners.

2011 Troy Police Command Officer of the Year

The Troy Police Department is pleased to announce the selection of Sergeant Donald Ostrowski as the 2011 Police Command Officer of the Year for his long term contributions and dedication to this organization. 

Sergeant Ostrowski began his career with the Troy Police Department in 1989 and served both in the Patrol Division and the Special Investigations Unit. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1996 and worked as a patrol supervisor, support services supervisor, and administrative assistant.  He has served as the department’s Emergency Response and Preparedness Planner for many years.

Sergeant Ostrowski was tasked with numerous mid-management level responsibilities during 2011 including oversight and management of the Dispatch Center, Supervisor of the Training Section, Emergency Management Planner, Special Response Unit Group Leader, and Oakland County Hazardous Material Team Leader. 

Sgt. Ostrowski is a recognized expert in the area of hazardous materials and hazardous incident response, and as such has been appointed to numerous advisory boards at the national, state, and local level. He has been called upon to teach and train in emergency preparedness and response both nationally, as well as throughout the state. Sgt. Ostrowski is a team leader in Oakland County Emergency Response Operations where he manages responses to suspicious packages, environmental hazards, and chemical spills throughout Oakland County, and around the state.  In this capacity Sgt. Ostrowski has also provided command and control support at numerous major events such as Dream Cruise, the NCAA Final Four Basketball Tournament, and the recent Republican Presidential Debate at Oakland University.  He has successfully written several Homeland Security Grants, which resulted in the department receiving significant resources in the form of equipment and training.  Sgt. Ostrowski was one of several project managers and assisted with the department’s recent transition to a new county-wide computerized incident reporting system.  Similarly, he played a major role in the development and integration of the new county wide digital radio system. Sgt. Ostrowski is the liaison between the police department and the Department of Homeland Security.

In conjunction with his responsibilities for management and oversight of the Dispatch Center, Sgt. Ostrowski was able to begin the implementation of several operational changes that will streamline those operations, while maintaining quality customer service in the face of reduced staffing. Sgt. Ostrowski also managed the Training Section in 2011 and implemented numerous changes including on-line departmental training which significantly reduced costs associated with annual mandatory police training, negotiated contracts with outside law enforcement agencies to utilize the department’s gun range which provided an associated revenue source, and completed the automation of the department’s training records system which resulted in significant savings in staff time.

Sgt. Ostrowski is a key member of the management team at Troy Police Department.  His willingness to take on and manage various projects as well as fulfill numerous day-to-day tasks has significantly contributed to the department’s mission of providing quality service to the community, and we are proud to recognize Sgt. Ostrowski as the 2011 Command Officer of the Year. 

2011 Troy Police Officer of the Year

The Troy Police Department is pleased to announce the selection of Detective Laurence Schehr as the 2011 Police Officer of the Year. 

Detective Schehr began his career with Troy in 1999 and worked in the Patrol Division. Detective Schehr was selected as a Detective and assigned to the Investigations Section in 2006.  Detective Schehr excelled in that position, and has developed expertise in all areas of criminal investigations.  Because of his skills, knowledge, and abilities, he has become not only a leader, but is a key member of the department’s investigative team.  Detective Schehr has been the officer-in-charge of numerous complicated and high profile investigations during his tenure.

Detective Schehr successfully investigated numerous home invasions in the past year for which multiple arrest warrants were obtained.  Key aspects of these efforts included:

• Obtaining and serving multiple search warrants.
• The development, management, and utilization of criminal intelligence.
• The effective use of interview and interrogation techniques. 
• The coordination and management of resources such as the department’s surveillance unit.
• The identification and management of physical evidence.

An indication of Detective Schehr’s tenacity and ability is exemplified during the course of a multi-dwelling home invasion investigation that he oversaw in 2011.   During that investigation, he personally canvassed the neighborhood where the crimes were committed and while so-doing was able to develop critical information, along with latent fingerprint evidence that eventually led to the identification of a suspect.  His determination and appreciation for the impact these crimes had on the victims resulted in his locating many of the items that were stolen and the eventual return of that property to the owners.

Detective Schehr is frequently called upon to train and mentor new detectives.  His reputation and professionalism has led to an excellent support network with other law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local level.  The relationships he has established and the numerous lines of communication he has cultivated in this regard, have greatly contributed to the coordination of resources and information during complex criminal investigations, as well as the development and sharing of criminal intelligence throughout the region.  Detective Schehr is currently the Senior Investigator in our Detective Bureau and as a result, is responsible for responding to and providing direct investigative oversight during any major crime that occurs in Troy.  In addition to his responsibilities with the Troy Police Department, Detective Schehr represents the department as the mortgage fraud investigative liaison with federal law enforcement authorities.

Detective Schehr is one of the original members of the Major Crime Assistance Team (MCAT) which was formed in 2009.  This team is made up of senior investigators from 7 local law enforcement agencies that work in partnership on major crimes that require significant resources, as well as specialized investigative expertise.

The Troy Police Department is proud to recognize Detective Laurence Schehr as the 2011 Officer of the Year!

2011 Troy Police Non-Sworn Employee of the Year

The Police Department is pleased to announce the selection of Police Service Aide Shawn Flint as the 2011 Non-Sworn Employee of the Year.  

PSA Flint was hired by the department in 2008 and was assigned to the Dispatch Center.  In that capacity, PSA Flint is responsible for answering 911 calls, and dispatching for both the police and fire departments.

• During a severe snow storm in early 2011, PSA Flint was recognized for maintaining composure and handling an inordinate amount of in-coming calls for service related to that storm.
• Her ability to multi-task, recognize priorities, obtain vital information, calm emotionally charged situations, and coordinate emergency responses are key skills that her supervisors indicate PSA Flint displays on a daily basis.
• In October, when high winds contributed to a multi-station Fire Department call-out, PSA Flint was recognized for her ability to remain calm, organized, and focused during her handling and coordination of that major response.
• In November, in response to a 911 call reporting a possible suicidal subject where the caller did not know the subject’s whereabouts, PSA Flint quickly utilized several resources which resulted in her being able to identify a possible location and direct responding officers and EMS personnel to the subject, including: Contacting cell phone providers, utilizing Google maps, contacting and working with On-Star and identifying and contacting several associates of the subject.
• In December, 2011, during a report of an incident involving shots being fired in a neighboring jurisdiction, PSA Flint was instrumental in coordinating Troy officers’ response, which ultimately led to the subject being located and arrested in Troy by Troy officers.
• In January, PSA Flint displayed exceptional communication skills and empathy during the course of a lengthy telephone conversation with a missing Alzheimer’s patient, which directly assisted responding officers locate and safely return the patient.

PSA Flint has consistently volunteered her time to allow members of the Citizen’s Police Academy, as well as college interns to shadow her during her shifts.  The Troy Police Department is proud to recognize PSA Flint as the 2011 Non-Sworn Employee of the Year.

The three winners will be formally recognized on Police Memorial Day, May 17, at an awards ceremony at the San Marino Club at 11 a.m.