For "Protecting the Palm Beaches," we honor a member of one local police department who has been chosen to receive the International Association of Police Chiefs 40 Under 40 Award. It recognizes people in law enforcement who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to their profession.
Boynton Beach Police Public Information Officer Stephanie Slater will be given the award in October at an annual luncheon in Philadelphia.
Chief Jeffrey Katz says that she has devoted her career to changing the public's perception of law enforcement officers and works tirelessly to show the person behind the badge and honor officers for the heroic work they do on a routine basis.
Stephanie has organized donation drives collecting diapers for mothers' seeking emergency shelter from domestic violence situations, canned food for a local soup kitchen and personal hygiene items for the homeless, among other things.
Here is the official release from the Boynton Beach Police Department:
Boynton Beach Police Department Public Information Officer Stephanie Slater has been chosen to receive the International Association of Chiefs of Police 40 Under 40 Award, Police Chief Jeffrey S. Katz announced Tuesday.
“Stephanie has devoted her career to changing the public’s perception of law enforcement officers, and she works tirelessly to show the person behind the badge and honor our police officers for the heroic work they do on a routine basis,” Katz said.
The IACP 40 Under 40 Award recognizes law enforcement professionals from around the world who demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment to their profession. Slater will receive the award at a luncheon on Oct. 23 during the IACP Annual Conference and Exposition in Philadelphia.
Among her accomplishments is a program that uses the police department as a conduit to providing much needed resources to local organizations. Her quarterly outreach drives have emboldened residents to donate diapers for mother’s seeking emergency shelter from domestic violence situations; suitcases, toiletries and school supplies for children who are homeless or in foster care; canned goods for a soup kitchen that provides about 1,000 meals a day; personal hygiene items, blankets and jackets for the homeless; and more than 2,000 books for daycare/preschools in our city. She uses social media to livestream these outreach drives, allowing those who donated items to be with the police officers when they are delivered.
“These endeavors epitomize what it means to work together for the common good,” Katz said. “As the Chief of Police, I am indebted to Stephanie for her ingenuity, passion and gigantic heart.”
Photo: Boynton Beach P.D.