Law enforcement agencies throughout the state garnered honors for excellence in community traffic safety programs in the 2009 California Law Enforcement Challenge (CLEC). The CLEC is a competition sponsored by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the California Office of Traffic Safety, and California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.  

“These well-deserved achievements are a testament to the dedicated efforts and the work of law enforcement agencies across the state,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “We salute their valiant efforts to keep our roadways safe for all motorists.”  

Law enforcement agencies throughout the state competed against similar-sized departments to be recognized with the distinction of having the most comprehensive traffic safety programs in 2009. The agencies honored in the 2009 CLEC are those that demonstrated the most comprehensive and effective traffic safety programs through departmental policy, officer training, public information, recognition, and enforcement related to speed, occupant restraint, and impaired driving in a n overall effort to reduce the mileage death rate.  

“These individuals and organizations are the best-of-the-best who often have to after the worst-of-the-worst,” said Christopher J. Murphy, director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. “California can be proud of the tough, tireless, and often innovative work they do in order to save lives on our roadways.”  

The Fresno Police Department took top honors in receiving the “Commissioner’s Award,” in the Special Awards category. This coveted award is bestowed upon law enforcement agency annually for their overall traffic safety efforts and will be presented on Thursday, September 9, 2010, at CHP Headquarters in Sacramento.  

Other 2009 Special Awards recipients that will be recognized at this event include: La Mesa Police Department for Occupant Protection, Petaluma Police Department for Impaired Driving Prevention, Yuba City Police Department for Speed Awareness, Santa Rosa Police Department for Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety, Chino Police Department for First-Time Entry, Ripon Police Department for the Innovative Use of Technology, and Livermore Police Department will be recognized for both Child Passenger Safety and Motorcycle Safety.  

“It is very important to recognize the brave, courageous and unselfish acts of state police officers who risk their own lives every date so that Californians can live and work in the safest possible environment, elaborated Stephen hardy, director of the Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control.  

In addition to the upcoming 2009 CLEC Special Award Presentations, the following law enforcement agencies will be recognized nationally this October at the 117th International Association of Chiefs of Police – Annual Conference and Exposition, to be held in Orlando, Florida: Fresno Police Department for placing first in the municipal category of 501-1,100 sworn officers; Livermore Police Department for placing second in the municipal category of 76-100 sworn officers; and Petaluma Police Department for receiving the Special Award for Impaired Driving Prevention.