Law Enforcement
Challenge
What is the Law Enforcement Challenge?
The Law Enforcement Challenge is a competition between similar sizes and types of law enforcement agencies. It is coordinated by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and is supported by a grant from DMV: Virginia Highway Safey Office with additional support from private entities. It recognizes and rewards the best overall traffic safety programs in Virginia. VACP & DMV believe an increase in traffic enforcement and education in a community results in a decrease in motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
The main areas of concentration include efforts to enforce laws and educate the public about occupant protection, impaired driving, and speeding. Departments submit an application (usually in a three ring or presentation binder) that documents their agency’s efforts and effectiveness in these areas. The winning safety programs are those that combine officer training, public information and enforcement to reduce crashes and injuries within its jurisdiction.
The Virginia Law Enforcement Challenge program is run in partnership with the National Law Enforcement Challenge program coordinated by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). The IACP believes one of the best ways to promote, build, and increase participation in the national program is to establish state Challenge programs. Each state can then conduct its own program and forward the applications received to the IACP to include in the national competition. There are currently fifteen states that have compatible state programs.
Why should a department or multi-jurisdictional taskforce enter the Challenge?
This competition is a unique way for law enforcement agencies to increase their attention to traffic safety. It provides opportunities for recognition of exemplary programs, incentive for continuing traffic safety activities, and documentation of agency effectiveness that can be used in future grant proposals. Every agency participates to some degree in traffic safety programs, so participation does not require a great deal of extra commitment on an agency’s part. Merely documenting current activity has produced many winners. This documentation can help provide accountability and prove the value of a strong traffic program. Being recognized as a winner brings a great deal of positive attention to a department, possible benefits at budget time, and enhances an agency’s reputation as a department th is “tough on crime” yet prioritizes safety.
2011
Challenge
2010
Challenge
2009
Challenge
2008
Challenge
2007
Challenge
- 2007
National Law Enforcement Challenge Winners
Announced!
VA Tops List of Winners of the National Law Enforcement Challenge
Nineteen Virginia agencies will be recognized at the IACP Annual Conference in San Diego, November 11, 2008 — the most national winners of any other state! A total of 520 applications were submitted to the National Challenge this year, 52 entries from Virginia alone. Congratulations to all the National Challenge winners!
2006
Challenge
2005
Challenge
2004 Challenge
2003 Challenge
2002
Challenge
If
you have any questions about the program or the application
process, please feel free to contact one of the following
people:
Erin Schrad,
VACP Communications Manager & VA Law Enforcement Coordinator
Phone: (804) 285-8227; E-mail: erin@vachiefs.org
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