To commemorate National Community Policing Week, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut hosted a Community Policing Awards Ceremony recently in New Haven that recognized 22 law enforcement officers and community members from cities and towns across the state.
“At heart, Community Policing is a philosophy that each of us, members of law enforcement and communities alike, have a stake in keeping our cities and towns safe and secure places to live,” said U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly, according to a press release. “During National Community Policing Week, we celebrate our commitment to supporting the practice of community policing. Police can never solve public safety problems alone. We encourage active community collaboration to improve safety, build public trust and deepen understanding between police and the communities they serve. The officers and community members recognized today are excellent examples of the best in community policing and community relations. I am confident that their efforts are making meaningful and lasting progress, and it is my great privilege to honor each of them and to thank them for their invaluable work.”
From the Bristol Police Department, Officer Jace Deluca was honored.
Officer Jace Deluca began his law enforcement career with the Bristol Police Department in 2008, said the press release. In the eight years since he was hired, he has immersed himself into several community events. Deluca is assigned to the night shift. He devotes his days (while most other night shift officers are sleeping) to volunteering to put together community policing programs in the City of Bristol.
Officer Deluca is a volunteer advisor to the Bristol Police Explorers Program, a youth program that exposes those under 18 to the law enforcement profession. He has also organized “Cop on Top,” a weekend fundraising event that benefits the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Lastly, Officer Deluca is the Bristol liaison to the Special Olympics and as such has organized the Torch Run, Tip a Cop and Car Shows. These events raise money for the Special Olympics and educate the public about the good work of the organization.
The release said, “Officer DeLuca is a credit to the Bristol Police Department. While on duty he is the true professional. What makes him special is that he takes professionalism a few steps further while he is off duty. Though you won’t hear it from him, he truly believes in giving back to the Community he serves. Officer DeLuca is extremely humble. When you praise or acknowledge his performance, he will routinely respond that he doesn’t deserve any credit. That the credit goes to the people around him and the Bristol Police Department. That the credit goes to the “kids,” usually referring to the Bristol Police Explorers, because they are the ones doing the ‘work.’ Officer DeLuca has a remarkable way of bringing people together to do good things on and off the job. It’s his actions that speak for him. Officer DeLuca is an exemplary police officer and the Bristol Police Department is proud to have him among the rank and file. He and like-minded Officers are projecting us towards excellence and for that we thank him.”
