Montgomery County DA, Bucks Co. DA & Philly PD Win International Police Chiefs Award

GREATER PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Police Department and two suburban prosecutors' offices have been recognized with an international award.

The city's police department, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office and the Bucks County District Attorney's Office have received the prestigious 2021 August Vollmer Award for Leadership in Forensic Science by the International Chiefs of Police.

The international award — which in 2018 went to the Texas Department of Public Safety's Crime Laboratory Services and in 2019 and 2020 went to the Dubai Police in the United Arab Emirates — was given to the trio of southeastern Pennsylvania agencies during a recent presentation ceremony.

The international award this year recognized the Delaware Valley Investigative DNA Database, which was created in 2019 by representatives of Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia Counties, according to the office of Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, which announced the award.

According to Steele's office, representatives from the three agencies had gotten together nearly three years ago to discuss the idea of creating a regional DNA database that could "augment the FBI's Combined DNA Index System," or CODIS.

"Knowing how powerful and reliable DNA evidence is, the three counties, under the supervision of the Philadelphia Police Department's Office of Forensic Services, connected their respective Rapid DNA test instruments, which meant results were immediately available to all DVIDD partners," reads a news release from the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. "Communicating real-time investigative DNA leads is important for both including suspects and excluding people from suspicion of criminal activity. This actionable intelligence now guides and forwards investigations by DVIDD partners."

Steele said the team of detectives at his office are some of the "best in the country," and said his Detective Bureau is "continually making advances and working with our regional law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of all of our communities. I couldn't be prouder of their work in the area of DNA usage in criminal investigations and am very honored to accept this award."

The International Chiefs of Police, in announcing the 2021 award winners, said that "this partnership of law enforcement and crime laboratories, looking for ways to solve problems while remaining within the confines of appropriate rules and regulations, is impactful and trendsetting."

The regional representatives who accepted the award were Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, Bucks County Chief County Detective Martin McDonough, Bensalem Police Superintendent Fred Harran and Philadelphia Police Director of Forensic Services Michael Garvey.

More information about the award and the International Chiefs of Police can be found here.