The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Officer, Civilian of Year honored
Patrolman instrumental in successful retail detail
A decorated Mentor police officer has another award to add to his list of achievements.
Patrolman James Collier was voted Officer of the Year by his peers and recently was recognized at a Mentor City Council meeting, along with Civilian of the Year Karen Brooks, administrative assistant to police captains.
Collier joined the department on Dec. 27, 1988. He plans to retire at the end of this year.
“During his tenure with the Mentor Police Department, Officer Collier’s focus has been to put the citizens of Mentor first and he has contributed to our community in a variety of ways,” Chief Kevin Knight said.
His other awards include the Knights of Columbus Blue Coats Award, two Exceptional Service Awards and six Letters of Commendation. On April 16, he will be presented the 2018 Crime Prevention Practitioner of the Year by the Ohio Crime Prevention Association in Dublin.
“He served on the SWAT team from 1995 to 2001 and in the Detective Bureau from 1996-2013, where he made an impact investigating high-profile cases, such as burglary rings and crimes against children and the elderly,” Knight said. “Detective Collier was also instrumental in bringing the Evidence Technician Training Program to the Mentor Police Department.”
In 2013, Collier joined the Crime Prevention Unit. He quickly became a crime prevention specialist and a certified child safety seat technician. He is active with the Greater Cleveland Safe Kids/Safe Communities Coalition, Lake County Safe Communities and the Lake County Crime Prevention Task Force.
His duties in the Crime
Patrolman James Collier was voted Officer of the Year by his peers and recently was recognized at a Mentor City Council meeting, along with Civilian of the Year Karen Brooks, administrative assistant to police captains.
Prevention Unit include programs such as the Bicycle Safety Program, Distracted Driver Program, Hero Day, Mocktail Events, the Third Grade Seatbelt Program and National Night Out.
Collier also leads grant efforts for the department’s Retail Theft Crime Deterrence Program.
“The program has flourished since its inception four years ago and is appreciated by local retailers, and replicated by outside agencies because of the detail’s impressive results,” Knight said. “Patrolman Collier has put a tremendous amount of effort into the organization, documentation and recruitment for this program. He is not only the face of the detail to the stores, security and officers working the assignment, he is the accountant and reporter to the state and media.
“Patrolman Collier has been a dedicated and hardworking officer and he will leave a large void when he retires at the end of this year.”
Collier was unavailable for comment.
Brooks, who was hired in 2012, also was lauded by the chief.
In addition to her work for the captains, Brooks also helped Capt. Ken Gunsch renovate the patrolmen’s lounge last year.
“She used her talents to make a dramatic difference to update and modernize the lounge,” Knight said. “The area was repainted, and she had new furniture, a refrigerator, a microwave and a coffee machine brought in. Karen also brought in police-related artwork to decorate the lounge, and the officers were very appreciative of her efforts.”
Brooks performs a number of tasks that support the day-to-day functioning of the department, including daily bulletins and the officer vacation books.
“Her friendliness is contagious, and she demonstrates professionalism, helpfulness and true loyalty to the officers and to the Mentor Police Department,” Knight said. “She is very deserving of this award and I congratulate her.”
The department has about 80 sworn officers and 40 civilian employees. The staff nominates and elects the award winners.
Members of the city’s safety forces also received awards from the Mentor Veterans of Foreign Wars post last month.