Officer Phil Smith received award for his work in community policing.
With as much fanfare as they could muster for a ceremony that is usually held in Washington,, D.C., local officials honored EPD officer Phillip Smith at Glenwood Leadership Academy Thursday morning.
Smith is one of only twenty three law enforcement officers nationwide to be given this year’s Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing. Smith gave credit to his fellow officers for his success.
“What I get to do in the community is because of what they do," Smith said, "If they don’t go out and buy food for that homeless person that’s hungry, if they don’t go out and spend a little time with a victim that’s only having a neighbor dispute, if they don’t go out to these little kids and give ‘em stickers or shoot hoops, then I’m not welcome to get to do the things that I do.”
A representative from the Department of Justice gave some remarks virtually during the local event.