Woodridge Police Department places 3rd in Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge

The Woodridge Police Department placed third in the 2023 Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge thanks to the hard work of Officer John Phelps and the Woodridge Police Department Traffic Unit.

The challenge is a program coordinated by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and maintained by a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grant that is supported by the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Bureau of Safety Programs and Engineering, and funding from private entities. It is a friendly competition between law enforcement agencies of similar size and type. The program helps agencies demonstrate successes to their government officials, community leaders, and citizens.

In order to be considered for the competition, law enforcement entities must submit their traffic safety report detailing efforts such as community engagement and educational campaigns, enforcement activity, trainings, effectiveness, and more.

This is the fifth year that Officer Phelps and the Woodridge Police Department have been presented with an Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge award in the municipal 36-50 size category. They've also accepted awards in 2018 (second place), 2019 (third place), 2020 (second place), and 2021 (second place).

"It's an honor to have received this award and to be recognized for our traffic safety initiatives and efforts," said Officer Phelps, Woodridge Traffic Officer.

"Currently, Officer Phelps is the only police officer in the Traffic Unit at Woodridge," said Woodridge Chief of Police Brian Cunningham. "I believe this makes the award even more outstanding and demonstrates his leadership, dedication, and passion for keeping our community safe."

Officer Phelps has been with the Woodridge Police Department for 10 years, where he has led the Traffic Unit, including various community programs such as car seat installations, teaching driver's education at the local high school, and developing educational programs to teach the Woodridge community about the importance of traffic safety.

Officer Phelps has also served on the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigative Team (MERIT) with Woodridge Police Officer William Bodnar for the past 6 years, where they assist the Major Crash and Reconstruction Team.