NEWS RELEASE
City of Takoma Park Police Department
• 7500 Maple Avenue • Takoma Park, Md 20912
For more information contact:
Public Information Officer (PIO)
Catherine Plevy, 301/891.7142 or 240/338.2901
May 2, 2011 (10:15 a.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chief Ronald Ricucci announces today the officers and civilians who have won 2010 awards.
The 2010 Officers of the Year are Corporal Michelle Holmes and Detective Private First Class Joseph Butler.
Corporal Michelle Holmes served 13 years with the Baltimore City Housing Police Department, where she went through the ranks to Patrol Division Lieutenant. She left that department in June 2001, when it merged with the Baltimore City Police Department. Cpl. Holmes joined the Takoma Park Police Department on June 3, 2001, and was assigned to a squad in the patrol division. She was assigned to the Takoma/Langley Crossroads area, which is both a residential and commercial area, and one of the busiest areas in the City. Cpl. Holmes was promoted to Corporal in 2008, and in 2010, she became the full-time traffic officer. This position was designed as a way to curb traffic violations and in turn reduce the amount of traffic collisions that occur in the City. Cpl. Holmes has handled this position with the same dedication and enthusiasm she displayed when she was first assigned to a patrol beat. From May 1, 2010, to December 31, 2010, Cpl. Holmes issued 2,847 State citations for violations of Maryland Traffic laws. She also issued 105 warnings, 405 City citations, 112 Safety Equipment Repair Orders, 545 reports, handled 540 calls for service, made 10 in-view arrests and 12 warrant service arrests. She has handled the majority of serious motor vehicle collisions, as well as some minor collisions. She also supplements regular patrol squads when they are short-staffed. Cpl. Holmes has worked diligently with the Safe Routes to School program, which is a traffic enforcement program that concentrates on speed enforcement in school zones, pedestrian safety and enforcement of the requirement for vehicles to stop for the flashing red lights on school buses. Cpl. Holmes works very hard to make the streets of Takoma Park safe for every type of commuter, whether they are walkers, drivers or bicyclists.
D/Pfc. Butler took the Oath of Office with the Takoma Park Police Department on March 18, 1998. He successfully completed his field training on June 22, 1998. D/Pfc. Butler worked successfully in the patrol division until his transfer to the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) of the Takoma Park Police Department on February 14, 2010. His teamwork, persistence and efforts to take felons off the streets, to ensure the safety of others, are outstanding.
D/Pfc. Butler proved his excellent organizational and case management skills early on. He was assigned 94 cases during 2010, ranging from robbery, burglary, sexual assault, child abuse, theft from auto, and many other cases, which required extensive investigation. Despite his heavy workload, D/Pfc. Butler managed to investigate each case thoroughly, complete the investigative reports and submit all cases, leaving on a handful of cases that were assigned at the end of the year. During 2010, D/Pfc. Butler ended the year with a 55% closure rate and had a total of 52 arrests. This was a major accomplishment considering that this was D/Pfc. Butler’s first year in CID as an investigator.
D/Pfc. Butler was assigned to an area in Takoma Park which was plagued with numerous residential burglaries and robberies. He played an essential role as the lead investigator in making several arrests throughout the year. During the months of February and March when the City was experiencing a rash of residential burglaries, D/Pfc. Butler was able to develop three suspects after they used a victim’s credit card from a burglary that had occurred. D/Pfc. Butler has brought much talent and skill to CID and is recognized for that dedication and commitment.
Congratulations to Cpl. Michelle Holmes and D/Pfc. Joseph Butler on being named Officers of the Year!
We also congratulate our Civilian of the Year, Ms. Lakyia Coles, Administrative Services Division. Ms. Coles hails from New York and began her career at the Takoma Park Police Department as an Intern in 2003, where she quickly moved into a full-time, permanent position. Ms. Coles is the Police Administrative Specialist, handling such duties as logistics and payroll. In addition, she is also part of the Crime Scene Technician Unit, where her work in processing evidence has been invaluable to the Criminal Investigations Division. Ms. Coles covers a myriad of other responsibilities, including finger-printing and filling in for Crossing Guards when they are short-staffed. She also serves as supervisor to the Crossing Guard staff. Ms. Coles improves overall employee morale within her division, and in the department as a whole. She regularly looks for ways to improve in her area. Even with all of her current responsibilities, Ms. Coles routinely will drop whatever she is doing to assist in the Communications Division when there is a lot of activity. Ms. Coles contributes significantly to the department’s visions and goals through her extraordinary efforts, outstanding performance and dedication to duty. Congratulations to Ms. Coles!
There are a variety of other awards that are given out at the Takoma Park Police Awards Banquet, which is being held on Friday, June 10, 2011:
Supervisor of the YearCapt. Edward Coursey
Meritorious Service MedalCpl. Douglas Malarkey
Unit CitationAdministrative Services Division
Capt. Edward Coursey
Ms. Danyelle Gallop
Ms. Lakyia Coles
Ms. Demetrice White
Ms. Crysla Flores
Mr. Roberto Rojas
Ms. Minnie Johnson
Ms. Doris Rodgers
Ms. Emma Garcia de Reyes
Ms. Pamela Sprouse
Ms. Ethel Sutton
Ms. Liz James
Ms. Carolyn Pinkard
First Place ShooterCpl. Douglas Malarkey
Chief’s Special RecognitionCommunications Division
Sgt. Richard Skibicki
Ms. Ana Cubillo
Mr. Derrick Zelaya
Ms. Stefanie Parker
Mr. Darrell Mathew
Ms. Jasmine Pegues
There are also a myriad of Memorandum of Commendations, Command Recognitions, Letters of Recognition and Educational Achievements that will be given out to civilian and sworn personnel for their great work during 2010.
Congratulations to all of the award recipients!
