Mount Prospect officers honored by Major Case Assistance Team

On Thursday, April 15, Mount Prospect Police Officer Dave Okon was presented with the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT) Forensic Technician of the Year Award for 2009 during the annual MCAT awards banquet in Streamwood.

MCAT is a multi-jurisdictional organization formed in 1998, to provide investigative and forensic assistance to member Northwest suburban law enforcement agencies during the investigation of homicides, serial crimes and major criminal events. MCAT annually honors one forensic unit technician, who consistently performs beyond the call of duty as evidenced by attitude, work ethic and professionalism. Officer Okon's extensive expertise and thoroughness in crime scene evidence collection, his commitment to excellence, and his dependability during his MCAT assignment were cited by the MCAT director, Sergeant Mike Brady of the Hoffman Estates Police Department, as he presented Officer Okon with the MCAT Forensic Technician of the Year Award for 2009.

"Officer Okon's receipt of this award underscores the high regard his MCAT co-workers and supervisors have for his many contributions to the Forensic Unit over the course of his years of service to MCAT," said Mount Prospect Police Department Chief John Dahlberg.

Mount Prospect Police Department Investigators Mark Recker and Cheryl Sampson also received unit commendations from MCAT for outstanding investigative performances in 2009, for their work as MCAT Investigators.

"Investigators Recker and Sampson bring the same strong skillsets to the MCAT Investigative Unit that they exhibit in their roles as members of the Mount Prospect Police Department's Investigative Unit," according to Chief Dahlberg. "I commend them both on their selection for this honor," added Chief Dahlberg.

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