MADISON – Madison Police Department is a finalist for the 2013 Community Policing Award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Cisco Systems.

Madison Chief of Police Larry Muncey (RECORD PHOTO)

The IACP/Cicso award identifies and rewards best practices in community policing by recognizing police organizations that use the power of collaboration and partnerships to make local, national and global communities safer from crime and terrorism.

“Our proposal highlighted the success that we have had with our Text-to-Protect program and how it has helped to better connect our community,” Madison Chief of Police Larry Muncey said. Text-to-Protect involves a tip line for citizens to communicate concerns with law enforcement.

“The IACP/Cisco Community Policing Award is international recognition that our Madison City police officers truly understand what it is to be a peace officer, servant leader and community partner,” Muncey said. “This award, and the previous two, were earned by officers going above and beyond to provide services that our community deserves.”

“This is the third time in four years that the Madison City Police Department has been named as a finalist for this very prestigious award,” Muncey said. Madison officers drew praise for community programs, like “Protecting Our Communities” and its phase two and “Text-to-Protect.”

“I applaud those recognized with this prestigious award and know that what they have created in their communities will positively impact the law enforcement community worldwide,” IACP President Craig T. Steckler said.

Law enforcement agencies could be nominated in five categories based on population.

The Madison department was a finalist in the category for populations from 20,001 to 50,000. Other finalists were Vail, Colo., St. Louis Park, Minn., Duluth, Minn., Grand Prairie, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.

The IACP serves as the professional voice of law enforcement. The organization addresses cutting-edge issues confronting law enforcement though advocacy, training and research.

For more information, visit iacpcommunitypolicing.org.