The L. Anthony Sutin Award for Innovative Law Enforcement and Community Partnerships recognizes the efforts of innovative and sustained law enforcement and community partnerships whose unique collaborations have transformed public safety in their communities. This award is bestowed on those partnerships in which law enforcement is actively engaged with the community in a multifaceted manner that has been sustained over time and has resulted in positive, observable public safety outcomes or advances in public trust.

History of the Award

The L. Anthony Sutin Award for Innovative Law Enforcement and Community Partnerships is named in memory of Tony Sutin, who served as a founder and Deputy Director of the COPS Office from its creation in 1994 until 1996, when he became the Principal Deputy to the Associate Attorney General of the United States. He then served as acting Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs before joining the faculty of the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia, in 1999. He quickly became dean and served in that capacity until his untimely death on January 16, 2002.

A distinguished graduate of Harvard Law School and former partner of the law firm Hogan & Hartson in Washington, D.C., Tony was widely known and respected for his brilliant intellect, quiet wit, and tremendous commitment to service and community. It is with great admiration and respect for Tony’s many contributions to the COPS Office and the principles of community policing that the COPS Office has named this award in his memory.

Nominations

The award recognizes the efforts of collaborative partnerships that have transformed public safety in their community through their interactions. Ideal nominees are actively engaged within their community in a multifaceted manner that has resulted in positive, observable public safety outcomes. Teams must consist of at least one law enforcement officer, who must be an officer in a state, local, or tribal law enforcement agency, and one community member.

The ideal nominee team for this award

• creates collaborations that are innovative, creative, and transformative;
• demonstrates sustainability and institutionalization of efforts;
• develops partnerships that involve relevant stakeholders in the community;
• produces positive observable public safety outcomes;
• promotes public safety through a dedication to the community policing philosophy.

Awardees of the L. Anthony Sutin Award for Innovative Law Enforcement and Community Partnerships

2021

• Cincinnati Police Department Military Liaison Group and Cincinnati VA Medical Center

2018

• St. Cloud (Minnesota) Police Department and the Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg (North Carolina) Police Department and Promise Youth Development

2017

• The COPS Office Announces 2017 L. Anthony Sutin Civic Imagination Award Winners

2016

• COPS Office Nominates Arlington Police Department and Arlington Independent School District for 2016 L. Anthony Sutin Civic Imagination Award

2015

• 2015 L. Anthony Sutin Civic Imagination Award Winners

2014

• 2014 L. Anthony Sutin Civic Imagination Award Winners

2013

• 2013 L. Anthony Sutin Civic Imagination Award Winners