Oak Bluffs police cop public service award

Published: May 22, 2008

In a ceremony Wednesday morning, Oak Bluffs police were awarded second place in the Massachusetts Law Enforcement challenge, a contest to reward law enforcement agencies for creative ways of combining traffic enforcement with public education.

First place in the category of municipal departments was awarded to the Sturbridge police department. The contest drew entries from 25 departments statewide.

Chief Erik Blake, Sargeant Michael Marchand, and officer Jim Morse accepted the award, which recognized the department for its traffic safety efforts in 2007 to reduce motor vehicle related fatalities, injuries, and economic loss.

"I'm extremely proud of the hard work each and every member of this department contributes," said Chief Blake.

The award comes with more than a trophy. The Oak Bluffs police also received an in-car computer and video system worth approximately $7,000 for placing second in the competition.

The award makes a trifecta of sorts. The contest, sponsored jointly by the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, and the state's Executive Office of Public Safety, has been held for only three years.

In the past, Oak Bluffs has won first place and third place, to go with this year's second place award.