Police honor officer, civilian employee of 2023
The Vandalia Division of Police has identified its police officer of the year and civilian employee of the year for 2023.
The selection process includes nominations from peers and a review and decision by a selection committee. These employees were selected based on several criteria including receipt of division awards, limited or no disciplinary actions, citizen commendations, overall productivity, community involvement, supplemental duties, contributions to the division, and a general level of professionalism as exhibited by appearance, bearing, attitude, and demeanor.
The Civilian Employee of the Year for 2023 is administrative assistant Shannon Green. Police Chief Kurt Althouse said Green has been with the Vandalia Division of Police for about a year, serving as an administrative assistant and the agency’s accreditation manager.
“Shannon quickly assimilated into the agency and became familiar with division personnel, current practices, her job duties, and agency policies and procedures,” Althouse explained. “She has done a fabulous job learning her responsibilities, and most importantly, becoming proficient in the accreditation process in a short period of time to successfully complete the third-year remote review in late 2022.”
Chief Althouse also noted Green’s positivity in the workplace.
“Her co-workers view her as one of the most positive people in the department,” Althouse said. “Employees commented that she genuinely cares about the work they do, and she sees them as individuals.”
The Police Officer of the Year is officer Holly Estepp. A 16-year veteran of the division, Estepp was honored for the energy and passion she continues to bring to her work. Estepp has voluntarily taken on additional responsibilities outside her normal patrol duties and her Critical Incident
Stress Management Team/Peer Support Team duties.
“A fellow employee commented that Officer Estepp has been able to utilize her triumphs to assist other law enforcement members in their times of need,” Althouse said.
Estepp has also taken on the challenge of participating as a hostage negotiator on the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Regional Hostage Negotiations Team.
“Officer Estepp’s job knowledge, intuition, and compassionate nature made her a perfect fit with the other HNT members,” Althouse said.