[OSMB-News] News Release - OSP Northwest Region Honored with Top Awards

[Ashley MASSEY]

For Immediate Release	Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2007

OSP Northwest Region Honored with Top Awards 
	
The Oregon State Marine Board honored law enforcement officers from
around the state for their heroic actions and performance at their
annual post season conference on October 17, in Bend. 
	
The Oregon State Police, primarily from the northwest region,
significantly increased their performance and was honored with the
Marine Program of the Year award.  OSP doubled their patrol hours and
made 3,045 boater contacts, conducted 2,220 boat inspections and
reports, issued 150 citations, 663 warnings, conducted one hull
inspection, and arrested ten boat operators for boating under the
influence of intoxicants.  Troopers also conducted school education
programs, took two stolen boat/motor reports and recovered two stolen
boats/motors.  For their outstanding performance, OSP Northwest Region
was also honored with the Most Improved Yearly Program Award of
Excellence.  In 2006, OSP ranked 19th out of 32 regional law enforcement
service providers and in 2007 easily took first place.  No other county
has made such a significant improvement in performance within
one-year's time.
	
"OSP as a whole has been proactive and productive in 2007, but the
Northwest Region really stepped up and stood out," said Bill Rydblom,
Law Enforcement Manager for the Marine Board. "The command staff has
shown true leadership and inspired the Troopers to bring out their best,
day in and day out. Oregon boaters are safer as a result of their hard
work."
	
Consistent performers (and brothers) Sr. Trooper Marshall Maher (OSP
Oakridge) and Trooper Martin Maher (OSP Cottage Grove) also earned
Trooper of the Year awards for the second consecutive year.  Sr. Trooper
Marshall Maher conducted 337 boat examinations, issued 31 citations, 140
warnings, and had 509 total boater contacts.  His brother, Trooper
Martin Maher conducted 340 boat examinations, issued 26 citations, 162
warnings and had 529 total boater contacts.  With numbers this close,
both deserved equal recognition.

Other awards presented during the conference included: Most Improved
Seasonal Program to Yamhill County; Program of the Year *Seasonal to
Benton County; Education Award to Klamath County; Education Award
*Seasonal Program, to Washington County; Officer of the Year to
Deputy Steve Dangler, Multnomah County; Seasonal Officer of the Year to
Deputy Jerry Roley, Washington County; Rookie of the Year, Deputy Nathan
Thompson, Clackamas County; BUII Enforcement  to Deputy Paul Vitus; Tom
Rice Instructor of the Year to Bernie Altishin, OSMB Cadre; Special
Instructor Award to Deputy Jim Drew, Clark County, Washington; Manager
of the Year to Lt. Pat Rowland, Jackson County; Program Administration
Award of Excellence to Clatsop and Lane Counties; Volunteer of the Year
to Bernie Altishin, OSMB Instructor Cadre and Paul Cody, Deschutes
County.
                                                                       
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Media Note: Photos are available.  Please contact Ashley Massey for a
digital photo.




Ashley A. Massey
Public Affairs Specialist
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
503-378-8587 ext. 82623
ashley.massey at state.or.us

"Go with the flow, and don't fight the current."