Police traffic patrol wins state and national awards

The Albemarle Police Department’s traffic patrol unit recently was recognized for its work by state and national organizations.

The unit won first place in Virginia’s Law Enforcement Challenge, which focuses on occupant protection, impaired driving and speeding. Departments are judged on enforcement strategies, officer training and public education.

Albemarle won in its category of departments with 76 to 125 officers.
Sgt. Peter Mainzer, who heads the traffic unit, said the officers had good reason to push extra hard on enforcement this year.
In 2007, 18 people died in accidents on Albemarle roads, so the department put more resources in the unit, increasing the patrol officers from four to six. The unit also has two supervisors.

Mainzer believes the additional coverage helped, as just six people have died on county roads this year.

The unit won the Speed Awareness Award in the state competition, and again in the National Law Enforcement Challenge. That competition included applications from 552 departments, 52 from Virginia.