Collegiate Times

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The Virginia Tech Police Department has been presented with the 2008 Governor's Award for Teamwork, a prestigious honor given annually to a group of state employees that show exemplary unity and collaboration.

"After the shootings, the whole department worked constantly," said Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum. "They had no days off and lots of overtime. This lasted until graduation, and they did it willingly and without complaint."

After the April 16 shootings, Tech's police department was forced to act quickly and efficiently. The immensity of their job then expanded in response to the shootings, and its handling of the situation merited the Governor's Award.

Flinchum said that this dedication is essential to the force, and teamwork is an aspect of the job that cannot be sacrificed.

"Even before April 16 we have always been committed to safety and security. That is our first priority," Flinchum said.

After April 16, the police department put a good deal of time and effort into finding ways to educate the public as much as possible. Its Web site, www.police.vt.edu, has been expanded to include even more information to help students and the rest of the Tech community.

"There is a great desire to be proactive in crime prevention and to educate the students and community," said Tom Foster, assistant chief of police. "This information is put together by all members of the department. It's a joint effort."

The department was honored again on Sept. 4 for doing an outstanding job, as the Virginia Assistant Chief of Police presented Flinchum with the 2007 Virginia Law Enforcement Challenge Award.

This particular award is given to one university or college police force every year. The winner is chosen based on a written submission and judged on the force's policies, training, public information, enforcements and effectiveness.

"(The Virginia Law Enforcement Challenge Award) is another example of the VT police force being innovative and working to solve problems," Foster said. "The teamwork is always continuing."

Flinchum said that the recognition the department has received has been a great experience for the whole staff, adding that the strongest aspect of his police department is clear.

"The willingness to go above and beyond to get the mission accomplished," Flinchum said. "It's an extraordinary group of people. It really is a prestigious award, especially for a police agency. It is very special for the members of the VT police department."

Foster and Flinchum hope that the Tech community realizes their role in crime prevention. Both said that knowing how to handle a dangerous situation makes everyone safer.

"Teamwork is not just internal, it takes everyone. Without the cooperation of the public, we are not as effective," Flinchum said.

Mark Owczarski, the university's director of news and information, echoed Flinchum's views on cooperation.

"One of the reasons they are so helpful is because they reach out to others, including university relations," Owczarski said. "For example, VT Alerts is a partnership between the police department and university relations. One of the hallmarks of Virginia Tech police is that they reach out in these partnerships to help make the community safer."