Inland Empire Law Enforcement Recognized

The Anti-Defamation League held the 20th anniversary Helene & Joseph Sherwood Prize for Combating Hate luncheon and awards ceremony on March 8 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. The nationally-recognized prize goes to law enforcement personnel who go above and beyond the call of duty to fight hatred and protect the community from hate-motivated violence. This year, the honorees included two groups from LA County and an individual from Orange County. In addition, the 14 agencies involved as first responders and investigators of the San Bernardino Terror Attack were recognized, pictured with the Sherwood family and ADL Regional Director Amanda Susskind. Representatives of these agencies accepted the award on behalf of the hundreds of law enforcement involved in resolving the attack and continuing its investigation. “This year’s honorees have taken creative and effective steps to make our communities safer,” said Regional Director Amanda Susskind. “Their contributions range from fighting terrorism to reducing hate against the most vulnerable in our society. What they have in common is that they make a tangible difference in protecting the community.” What else the honorees have in common is appreciation for ADL and the Sherwood family for recognizing law enforcement. One after the other they spoke of how meaningful it was to be recognized with the award that Sherwood Prize Selection Committee Chair and Huntington Beach Police Chief Rob Handy called, “one of the most prestigious awards in the law enforcement community.” As one of the honorees, Commander Tingirides of LAPD voiced, “There is so much negativity out there. For you to show this appreciation, you are doing a huge thing for law enforcement.” Commander Tingirides represented half of a group honor with his wife, LAPD Sergeant Emada Tingirides, for the Community Safety Partnership Program. In partnership with the LA Housing Authority, this is a model of community policing in South LA housing communities. Officers initiate and support community and youth programs and build trust between residents and law enforcement by coaching sports teams, leading scout troops and generally becoming part of the fabric of the community. He described the previous climate of mistrust that has been ameliorated by sending non-traditional officers into the community to do something other than make arrests. Echoing her husband, Sgt. Tingirides thanked LAPD for “allowing us to police outside the box.” She emphasized that, “Every officer puts on a badge and uniform to make a change in someone’s life.” That sentiment was proven by speaker, 18-year-old Estafani Amaya, a Nickerson Gardens resident, who credits this program with changing her life. “If it wasn’t for them I would be a statistic — pregnant or dead. Instead, I am in college.” A Long Beach group that investigated and prosecuted a human trafficking crime was also honored. The Long Beach Police Department, Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the California Attorney General’s office worked together to bring one of the first human trafficking charges filed with hate crime allegations in California. In accepting the award, Long Beach Police Detective Chris Zamora emphasized the importance of the four-agency collaboration. He also cited ADL hate crime training and background information that helped prepare officers for testifying in court. Orange County Sheriff’s Department Public Affairs Manager Carrie Braun was honored for going well beyond her duties to establish and foster relationships with diverse groups across Orange County. Laura Kantar, Director of Policy, Advocacy and Youth Programs at the LGBT Center of Orange County, discussed Ms. Braun’s impact in the community. She emphasized her ability to help law enforcement understand the need to police in a way to be trusted by diverse communities. Ms. Braun accepted the award on behalf of the men and women of the OC Sheriff’s Department: “It’s an honor to do meaningful work every day.” Huntington Beach Police Chief Rob Handy, Sherwood Prize Selection Committee Chair and former Chief of Police of San Bernardino, explained that the agencies involved in the San Bernardino terror attack were added during the selection process because, “their law enforcement response represents the epitome of combating hate.” The idea was to honor the 14 agencies (full list below) that represent hundreds of first responders, investigators and prosecutors with representatives of each agency to be recognized at the Sherwood Prize awards ceremony. Not forgetting the victims that day, he asked for a moment of silence for those who were killed and wounded, their families and co-workers “whose lives will never be the same.” He related a few of the stories of heroics and bravery that day and the importance of collaboration among the many responding agencies. “They fought terror that day on behalf of all of us. As Americans, we are in your debt.” It was left to Lieutenant Travis Walker, San Bernardino Police Department SWAT Commander, to accept the award on behalf of all these agencies, and he stated he was “truly humbled to accept this from the ADL and the Sherwood family” and “truly proud of what the public and law enforcement did that day, resolving this issue more rapidly than would have been expected.” He feels that law enforcement responded as they do every day, doing what the public expects of them – to safeguard society, noting that, “An act of pure evil occurred in our city….but we remain San Bernardino strong.” Before ending the ceremony, all past honorees – many there to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sherwood Prize – were recognized. And, in what has become an annual tradition, everyone in the ballroom sang happy birthday to prize founder, philanthropist and ADL supporter Joseph Sherwood for his 99th birthday this week. As always, his comments capped the day, remarking that he was taught to respect his elders, “but it’s hard to find any now.” He explained that he “started this shindig” because he was tired of people “smearing the cops.” After congratulating all the honorees and past honorees, he turned his thoughts to the San Bernardino attack. “We’re all heartbroken that 14 innocent people were killed. But the way you handled the situation – it made San Bernardino famous all over the world.” Chief Handy ended with a message to the Sherwood family: “On behalf of the men and women in uniform, thanks for your vision.” The full list of honorees follows: Inland Empire 2016 group honorees: • San Bernardino Terrorist Incident • Law Enforcement Agencies First Responders and Investigators San Bernardino Police Department, FBI, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, ATF, CHP, Colton Police Department, Fontana Police Department, ICE-Homeland Security Investigations, Redlands Police Department, Rialto Police Department, San Bernardino City Unified School Police, San Bernardino County DA’s office, San Bernardino County Probation Department and US Attorney’s Office The honorees were selected from many nominations received from throughout Southern California by the distinguished Sherwood Prize Selection Committee: Chair, Chief Rob Handy, Huntington Beach Police Department; Assistant Director in Charge David Bowdich, FBI, Los Angeles; Chief Jarrod Burguan, San Bernardino Police Department; Sheriff Geoff Dean, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department; Sheriff William D. Gore, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department; Chief Mike Hamel, Irvine Police Department; Special Agent in Charge Eric Harden, ATF, Los Angeles; Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, Orange County Sheriff’s Department; Sheriff Jim McDonnell, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger, Los Angeles Police Department; Chief Camerino Sanchez, Santa Barbara Police Department; Chief Bill Siegl, California Highway Patrol; Sheriff Stanley Sniff, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department; Chief Greg Williamson, Bakersfield Police Department. The Sherwood Prize was created in 1996 by Joe and Helene Sherwood, founders of family owned and operated Daniel’s Jewelers, to recognize those in the law enforcement community who go above and beyond their job descriptions in combating extremism, bigotry, and hatred. Other 2016 honorees included: • Community Safety Partnership Program • Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Emada Tingirides; Commander Phillip Tingirides • Human Trafficking Investigation with Hate Crime Allegations • California Attorney General’s Office Deputy Attorney General Maggy Krell, Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator; Deputy Attorney General Jessica Owen • Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office Senior Prosecutor Assistant Tracy Hall; Deputy City Prosecutor Elana Miller • Long Beach Police Department Detective Toby Benskin and Detective Juan Gomez, Vice Investigations Section; Detective Chris Zamora, Gang Enforcement Section • Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Latosha Walker, Operation Safe Jails