23rd Annual STOP-DWI Law Enforcement
Awards Honor Local “TOP COPS”
Thanksgiving crackdown on impaired drivers takes place Nov. 22-26
Poughkeepsie… The Dutchess County STOP-DWI Planning Board honored seven law enforcement officers as “TOP COPS” at the 23rd Annual Dutchess County STOP-DWI Program’s Law Enforcement Awards Luncheon held today at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel in the City of Poughkeepsie. The event honors police officers from throughout Dutchess County for their commitment and contributions to the STOP-DWI Program’s mission.
Dutchess County Legislator Angela Flesland said, “Be it day or night, law enforcement officials throughout Dutchess County dutifully serve our residents to keep our roads as safe as possible. We are proud to recognize the efforts of these brave men and women, who safeguard the lives of motorists throughout our county. We thank them for their service, and we must always remember the role we all play in keeping our roads safe.”
STOP-DWI’s mission is to deter drunk/drugged driving through enhanced enforcement, prosecution, rehabilitation, and education services. The annual “TOP COP” awards honors officers for their strong enforcement efforts in the detection and apprehension of impaired drivers.
2017 “TOP COP” Award Winners
Law Enforcement Officer Law Enforcement Agency
Trooper Joshua Dubois New York State Police Troop K (Poughkeepsie)
Trooper Michael Bayer New York State Police Troop K (East Fishkill)
Deputy Sheriff Justin Bogdanffy Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Sheriff Stephen Sansoni Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office
Police Officer Travis Sterritt Village of Red Hook Police
Police Officer Edward Fenichel City of Poughkeepsie Police
Police Officer Michael Veeder Village of Millerton Police
The event highlighted the start of the annual “Thanksgiving Crackdown” campaign, which runs from Wednesday, November 22nd through Sunday, November 26th, with law enforcement agencies across Dutchess County participating in a county-wide program to catch impaired drivers this holiday season. The “Thanksgiving Crackdown” campaign is intended to discourage people from driving impaired, promote awareness, and keep the roadways safe.
The “Thanksgiving Crackdown” campaign includes coordinated, multi-jurisdictional sobriety checkpoints and targeted saturation patrols throughout Dutchess County and includes the assignment of Drug Recognition Experts to assist in the identification and apprehension of those impaired by drugs other than alcohol. Motorists who encounter what they suspect is an impaired driver should call 911 with a description of the vehicle, location and direction of travel. The enforcement effort is administered by the Dutchess County STOP-DWI program through grant funding awarded from the NYS STOP-DWI Foundation.
Dutchess County STOP-DWI Coordinator William C. Johnson said, “Law enforcement officers throughout Dutchess County are steadfast in their resolve to rid our roads of impaired drivers, and today’s event celebrates their diligence. Motorists who drive while impaired will be arrested and prosecuted, and Dutchess County’s law enforcement continues to keep our roadways safe for our residents.”
The Dutchess County STOP-DWI Planning Board honored seven law enforcement officers as “TOP COPS” at the 23rd Annual Dutchess County STOP-DWI Program’s Law Enforcement Awards Luncheon held today at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel in the City of Poughkeepsie. The event honors police officers from throughout Dutchess County for their commitment and contributions to the STOP-DWI Program’s mission.
