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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">600 E. Walnut Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">December 31, 2020</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Brittany Hilderbrand
<br />Community Relations Specialist/Public Information Officer
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573-874-7671
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov
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<br />Jeff Pitts
<br />Community Relations Specialist/Public Information Officer
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.817.5049
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Columbia Police Foundation honors members of the Columbia Police Department staff with Annual Employee of the Year Awards</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Dec. 30, the Columbia Police Foundation sponsored the annual employee recognition ceremony for members of the Columbia Police Department. Awards were presented to four employees who demonstrated exceptional performance, consistent with standards set by the Foundation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 2019 nominations were decided in March 2020, and awards were presented to the following staff members: </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rookie of the Year - Officer </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brendan Bunch</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Officer Bunch has served two years and four months at the Department and is currently assigned to Patrol. During his tenure, Bunch has displayed qualities that are consistent with strong legal, safety, moral and ethical principles to guide his work. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Civilian of the Year - </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Donna Allen</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Allen has served 21 years at the Department and is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. Allen has embraced the Department’s community policing model and continues to demonstrate a high level of integrity, respect and support for her colleagues. Her positive attitude and work ethic are greatly appreciated.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Supervisor of the Year - Lieutenant Matt Stephens </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lieutenant Stephens has served 15 years and four months at the Department and is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. During his tenure, Lt. Stephens has been recognized as a servant leader who demonstrates exceptional leadership. Stephens’ candor and honesty continue to motivate and encourage those he works with. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Molly Thomas Bowden Officer of the Year - Officer Dan Wright </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Officer Wright has served 19 years and four months at the Department and is currently assigned to Patrol. During his tenure, Wright has exemplified the nobility of policing by consistently going above and beyond on a daily basis. These are values that cannot be taught, and Officer Wright embodies them. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"These are the people who have stepped up to the plate demonstrating outstanding character, professionalism and dedication on behalf of the Columbia Police Department, and I am honored to be here to recognize them," said Police Chief Geoff Jones.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Foundation is very proud to be able to help recognize outstanding performances of our officers and employees. We are proud to have so many exceptional officers and employees serving our community,</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">" said Randy Boehm, chair of the Foundation’s board of directors and former Columbia Police Chief.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Columbia Police Foundation was established in 2002 by Boehm, the Columbia Police Officers’ Association and a small group of local leaders to fund urgently needed programs and equipment for the Department. The Foundation also funds peer support training and offers life insurance coverage to all law enforcement in Boone County.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is the first year that the Foundation assumed responsibility for the awards. This change was based on a mutual desire to assure that the award process is fair and impartial. The Foundation Board of Directors includes Department employees and citizens, but only independent citizen members participated in the award selection process.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nominees in all award categories were judged on their demonstration of </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">integrity, honesty and respect in all actions. In addition, all sworn nominees were judged </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">on how they demonstrated the Columbia policing philosophy in all their actions and how </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">they give back to the community.</span></p></div>
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<div class="attachments">This release has the following attachments:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2598">Officer Brendan Bunch</a><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2599">Donna Allen</a><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2600">Lt. Matt Stephens</a><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2601">Officer Dan Wright</a><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2602">2019 Award Winners</a></div>
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<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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