Riverside Police Department

Riverside wins 1st Place in California Law Enforcement Challenge for 2nd Year

The California Law Enforcement Challenge is a state-wide competition between similar sized law enforcement agencies.  It recognizes and rewards California law enforcement agencies that have the best overall traffic safety programs. An independent panel of judges critic the law enforcement agency’s abilities in the following categories; enforcement of traffic laws, training police officers, and educating the public about occupant protection, impaired driving, and speeding.  Participating agencies submit an application which documents their efforts and effectiveness in these areas. The winning safety programs are those that combine officer training, public information and enforcement to reduce traffic collisions and injuries within its jurisdiction.

A panel of traffic safety experts from across the country reviewed each application and allotted points based on the criteria for that particular category. After the judging, the scores were averaged and a final score was assigned to the agency.  Once all of the applications were scored, the agencies were ranked in their respective group.  All judges were independent members of the law enforcement community, public safety, and corporate partners who have demonstrated advance knowledge of highway safety initiatives.

On Friday, July 30, 2010, Chris Murphy, Director of the Office of Traffic Safety, recognized the Riverside Police Department for their 1^st place finish.  It is the second time in two years that the Riverside Police Department has taken the top honors among law enforcement agencies in the state-wide competition.  In addition, the Police Department took 3^rd place honors in 2007.  Furthermore in 2008, Karen Haverkamp, a civilian supervisor assigned to the Traffic Bureau, was honored with an individual award for Traffic Safety Excellence for her on-going commitment to traffic safety.

The California Law Enforcement Challenge is sponsored by the California Highway Patrol in partnership with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, California Office of Traffic Safety, and the Alcoholic Beverage Control.