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At annual Elgin police awards, focus is on community

As individuals were recognized Friday by Elgin police with awards for their outstanding work, the message repeatedly centered around the value of community and teamwork.

About 60 people got awards — including for units with multiple members — in the annual ceremony at The Centre of Elgin.

At the conclusion, officer Todd Ramljak, a 14-year veteran and the liaison officer at Elgin Community College, was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

“Everything we do within the police department is based on teamwork, and the success we have that the Elgin Police Department is completely based on the teamwork we have with the community,” Elgin Police Chief Jeff Swoboda said.

Four civilians got community service awards for assisting police in various ways.

“These are cases in which some citizens went way above and beyond and helped us solve some pretty significant situations,” Deputy Police Chief Bill Wolf said.

Heidi Flynn of Freeport, got a community service award for alerting police in August after spotting an Elgin man who had been reported missing. Flynn saw the man's picture on Facebook and later saw him walking on the side of the road.

Resident Marina Heck, cabdriver Aaron Dunbar and cab dispatcher Gina Knotts also got community service awards for their roles in spotting and helping police capture a patient who had escaped from the Elgin Mental Health Center in July.

Animal control officer Matt Ciesielczyk got the highest service commendation for investigating a case in which four dogs — three of whom died — were abandoned in a home in the final stages of foreclosure.

“Animals can't speak up for themselves and they need someone who speaks up for them,” said Ciesielczyk, a 10-year veteran of the department.

Police Explorer Andrew Wilson, 16, a student at Streamwood High School, got a lifesaving award after he performed CPR on a 7-year-old who nearly drowned last month in a hotel pool in Peoria.

Elgin Police Explorer Post 1445 was given a unit citation after placing third at a national conference, beating more than 200 posts across the country. The “exceptional group” puts in thousands of hours in community service to help with various events throughout Elgin, Wolf said.

Unit citations also went to the school resource officers, who conduct initiatives like the Kids United summer program, and the officers who conduct the department's Spanish-language police citizens academy, whose second edition begins this weekend.

The departments' first purple heart award went to detective Tom Wolek, who suffered a forearm injury while trying to arrest a man wanted on a warrant in July. Wolek underwent surgery and several weeks of recovering before returning to full duty.

Part-time crime prevention specialist Christy Schmidt was chosen as the department's civilian of the year. Her duties include coordinating the citizens police academy and doing community outreach. “She does all of this with a big smile and a lot of grace,” Swoboda said.

Sgt. Chris Jensen was selected as supervisor of the year and Chad VanMastrigt was named officer of the year.

Officer Kevin Kamenjarin was chosen as rookie of the year for his role in ensuring that officers are getting refresher training on mental health crisis intervention.

“He comes to work everyday with a positive attitude and truly understands that service to the community is job No. 1 at the Elgin Police Department,” Swoboda said.

  Elgin Police Explorer Andrew Wilson, 16, makes his way down the receiving line after winning the lifesaving award during the Elgin Police Department's annual awards ceremony Friday. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
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