Bartlett police name employees of the year

The Bartlett Police Department has named the 2020 winners of its three annual employee awards.

Detective Eric Kistler is the department's 2020 Police Officer of the Year, Accreditation Manager Larry Pincsak earned Civilian Employee of the Year and Officer Max Puente received the 2020 Spirit Award.

Kistler, a member of the department for seven years, was selected for his outstanding performance and work ethic, officials said.

He was praised for handling several serious criminal investigations in a sensitive manner and nominated for Employee of the Month last February for successfully investigating and obtaining criminal charges during a forgery and harassment by electronic communications investigation.

Kistler also received the police department's Unit Citation Award last year for helping patrol officers resolve a potentially deadly situation involving an individual who threatened a family member with a rifle.

He previously received the department's Blue Knight Award in 2014 and 2016 for having the highest level of officer-initiated activity.

Pincsak, a member of the department for two years, received the civilian honor for providing exceptional service and presenting himself in a highly professional manner.

In November, he was responsible for completing the department's annual compliance review by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. The department was found to be in compliance with all 100 standards and the commission assessor indicated it was the best review he had ever done.

Pincsak also was responsible for updating several of the police department's important policies, including use of force and pursuit, as well as a COVID-19 operations plan.

Puente, a member of the department for two years, earned the Spirit Award for displaying a positive image when interacting with the public. Officials characterized Puente as always putting the community first and creating positive police-community relationships while patrolling.

A resident praised Puente for dropping off Halloween candy and creating a "Tik Tok" video with her children and other neighborhood kids. He was also recognized for demonstrating a high level of volunteerism within the police department and Bartlett community.