Top Cop sought
Published 9:03 pm Friday, July 5, 2013
The Greater Hampton Roads Crime Lines’ regional Top Cop Awards Dinner will be held in Suffolk this year, and the organization’s board of directors is trying to get the word out that nominations for Top Cop are open to the public.
“We’re putting the call out to the chiefs of police, but anyone can nominate a police officer for Top Cop,” said Larry Ronan, who is a regional director for the Greater Hampton Roads Crime Lines, as well as the vice chair of Virginia Beach Crime Solvers and the chairman of the awards dinner.
Wanda McKenzie and Larry Ronan, both members of the regional board of directors for the Greater Hampton Roads Crime Lines, encourage nominations from the community for Suffolk’s Top Cop.
“We want to get the word out that it is open nominations,” added Wanda McKenzie, the chair of the Suffolk Crime Line Board of Directors and also a regional director.
Ronan said the board also is looking for businesses and individuals that help fight crime to be recognized at the dinner.
Nominees for Top Cop must live in the Hampton Roads area and perform service in a participating locality. Nominations will be considered based on the nominee’s consistent, salutary performance and dedication as demonstrated by their leadership skills and personal achievements from Jan. 1, 2012, through March 31, 2013.
For civilian corporations, organizations and individuals, nominees will be considered based on how their sustained supportive efforts from the same time period have contributed to making Hampton Roads a safer community. A lifetime achievement award, open to civilians and sworn personnel, also is available.
This will be the first time in a number of years for the event to be held in Suffolk. The event rotates among the 15 localities that are members of the Greater Hampton Roads Crime Lines.
The dinner is the only major fundraiser for the Crime Line, which receives no tax dollars. Its only other income comes from individual donations and small fundraisers.
The money is used for the technical requirements to run the telephone number and to pay rewards for tips that help police solve crimes.
“It looks like it’s going to be a really great event,” Ronan said. “There’s a lot of support.”
The event will be held Nov. 2 at the Hilton Garden Inn on East Constance Road. It also will include a silent auction, and a number of sponsorship opportunities are available.
For tickets, call Ronan at 214-1644. Nominations should be sent to TopCop@888lockuup.com by Aug. 9. For more information on how to nominate, call Ronan at 214-1644 at email him at eodronan1@gmail.com.
