The Bristol Tennessee Police Department has earned top honors from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office for its ongoing efforts to improve safety on City streets through a number of training and enforcement programs.
The awards were presented Aug. 20 during the THSO’s 17th Annual Law Enforcement Challenge, an annual competition that rates law enforcement agencies across the state for policies and programs designed to encourage the use of seat belts and child passenger safety seats and to combat speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving. Of the 45 agencies competing, BTPD was named the state’s Overall Winner and also received 1st Place for departments with 71 to 100 officers.
Lt. Jimmy Dillard and Office Josh Graham accepted the awards on behalf of BTPD during the award ceremony, which was held in conjunction with THSO’s 33rd Annual Lifesavers Conference in Franklin, Tenn.
“We’re grateful for this state-wide recognition that acknowledges our ongoing efforts to make Bristol a safe place to live,” said Police Chief Matt Austin. “It takes the entire community working together to keep our roadways safe, and we’re proud to lead these year-round efforts that remind motorists to slow down, buckle up, appoint a designated driver, and avoid distractions when they get behind the wheel.”
The Law Enforcement Challenge is an innovative program supported by the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police and the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association. This program provides law enforcement agencies with an opportunity to demonstrate how they promote traffic safety initiatives in the communities they serve. The LEC also allows agencies to learn from one another and establish goals in traffic safety enforcement and education.
For additional information, please contact Lt. Jimmy Dillard at [email protected] or (423) 989-9382.
