Suffolk Police Officer Clifton Sessoms Jr. was honored as the Suffolk Police Department’s Top Cop at the 18th Annual Greater Hampton Roads Regional Crime Lines Inc. Dinner and Top Cop Awards on Nov. 3.

The Greater Hampton Roads Regional Crime Lines Inc. Top Cop Awards honor police officers and others who have demonstrated a commitment to a safer Hampton Roads community.

Sessoms is currently working with the DUI Task Force Unit. Sessoms joined the Suffolk Police Department in 2009.

Receiving the award was a source of pride for Sessoms, but he isn’t focused on receiving accolades to do his job.

“There is pride in the accomplishment, but, and it sounds corny, I’m happy that people got home safe that night,” Sessoms said. “It’s an honor, but I’m not motivated by it.”

In 2017, Sessoms conducted 196 field sobriety tests resulting in 70 DUI arrests, 61 open container of alcohol violations, 33 refusal to submit breath alcohol test violations and four underage drinking violations.

His work continued on street patrols. He assisted street patrol officers with 14 DUI arrests and provided 25 drug recognition evaluations to assist other officers in driving under the influence of drugs arrests.

Assisting in drug arrests is something special for Sessoms. He is one of only three officers in Hampton Roads to be certified as a Drug Recognition Expert.

“When I became a DRE, I was able to help other officers make arrests,” Sessoms said. “Having that certification allows me to help people understand the severity of drugged driving.”

He has done drug evaluations in Suffolk and other localities, including Isle of Wight County and Chesapeake.

His work for the Suffolk Police Department has also earned him recognition with the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Organization for having the most DUI arrests from Suffolk during 2016 and 2017.

Sessoms is happy to do the work he does, because he believes he has the ability to make an impact in someone’s life.

“In police work, in my opinion, it’s the only real way to change someone’s life,” Sessoms said. “Things are going to happen no matter what, but we are trying to prevent an innocent person getting hurt.”

While Sessoms is working with the DUI Task Force, he is also working to enforce the rules of the road. Some of his other stats include 696 speeding violations, 76 reckless driving violations and 35 seatbelt violations, among others.