The Hudson Police Department was recently named the September 2020 “Agency of the Month” for their outstanding community policing efforts by the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and the Law Enforcement Foundation - specifically for HPD’s Get Caught Being Good program!
The Community Relations and Engagement Committee issued this statement “It is our pleasure to recognize the outstanding efforts by the Hudson PD for their community policing commitment that helps make us stronger. We congratulate Chief Tabak and the hardworking members of his agency that have gone above and beyond to provide quality community policing ideas to their citizens.”
About Hudson Police Department Community Relations Program
The “Caught Being Good Program” was established for elementary school aged children for doing good things. It is designed to promote positive relationships and interactions between Hudson’s children and Hudson police officers. Officers reward kids for the good behavior they see out around the City, such as wearing helmets, helping mom or dad, looking both ways when crossing the street, wearing a seat belt, and more.
Officers will write a ticket when they see something that deserves a “Caught Being Good Citation”. On the back are the instructions of how to retrieve the prize at the station. The program also promotes positive visits to the police station with their family.
When someone comes in to claim their “Caught Being Good Citation” prize, they’ll show the blue citation and then will be able to pick out a prize from the prize chest. Parents are then given the opportunity to take a picture by the art wall so their child’s “Caught Being Good Citation” can be shared on the department’s social media.
One of the parents wrote this note about the program:
"Thank you again Officer Gahagan for the unique police experience for the kids today! It is such a fun idea to get kids interacting with law enforcement!”
Watch a video about the program here.
About This Recognition
In 2018, the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and the Law Enforcement Foundation formed a new committee named “Community Relations and Engagement” to work with agencies of all sizes and capabilities to highlight their positive work that’s being done around Ohio each and every day.
In 2019, the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and Law Enforcement Foundation Community Relations and Engagement Committee began a new program named “Sharing Ohio’s Best” to help bring awareness to the amazing work that agencies do all over Ohio to promote positive policing.
The Community Relations and Engagement Committee compiles submissions from agencies and selects one each month to be recognized. Each agency is eligible. Typically, the committee focuses on creativity and how the program impacts the individual community. Recent programs that have been recognized include a teen driving course, programs to help the disabled, and programs focusing on community safety.
About Hudson Police Department
The Hudson Police Department is committed to presenting a successful community-oriented policing approach in dealing with today’s concerns and tomorrow’s problems. Community-oriented policing is not one program. It is an ongoing committed effort to establish, develop, maintain, and enhance a collaborative partnership with citizens and city leaders for the safety and security of all.
The Hudson Police Department (HPD) is dedicated to safeguarding the lives and property of the people they serve, to reducing the incidence and fear of crime, and to enhancing public safety while working with the community to ensure a high quality of life in the City. The Department is committed to providing a superior level of service with honor and integrity.
The Hudson Police Department is staffed by 32 full-time officers, 5 full-time dispatchers, 4 part-time dispatchers, 3 auxiliary officers and 2 civilian personnel.
About Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police
The Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to continuing professionalism and innovation among police executives in order to assure the continued success of the law enforcement community. Established in 1928, the Association is a fully staffed organization, offering a broad range of professional, educational and informational services.
With a mission to enhance our profession through strong leadership, innovative programs and exemplary services, the Association’s goals are: to serve its members; to increase the public’s understanding of the role police play in maintaining our quality of community life; and to foster improvements in police education, practice and research.
About The Law Enforcement Foundation
The Law Enforcement Foundation (LEF) is a 501(c)3 organization established in 1985 by members the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP). The mission was created around creating safer communities through the continuing education of law enforcement executives, education to the children of the community through our trained DARE officers, and to educate law enforcement on special topics as trends indicate.
The Law Enforcement Foundation (LEF) is the only entity in Ohio certified to train Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officers where officers are prepared to educate children and parents about drug abuse prevention, internet safety, bullying, decision-making skills, and personal responsibility.
The Law Enforcement Foundation is also the only entity to provide a three-tiered, executive-level management training for law enforcement, culminating in a Masters- level certification in law enforcement management.