FMPD Honors Officers at Award Ceremony

August 10, 2012

“FMPD Honors Officers at Award Ceremony”

 On Friday, August 10, 2012 the Fort Myers Police Department honored several employees at a monthly award ceremony. FMPD strives every day to not only protect and serve the residents of the City ofFort Myers, but to make it a better place to live. “It is our policy to recognize employees of exemplary performance of their duties” said Chief Baker. “We appreciate their heroics and the hard work that these men and women put in each day.”

 Officer Lesa Breneman was honored for a traffic stop that led to the arrest of a suspected drug dealer.  Initially the traffic stop was the result of a speeding violation. Further investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle had his driving privileges revoked and was classified as a Habitual Traffic Offender.  An inventory search of the vehicle yielded the following:  18 grams of powder cocaine, 33 pieces of crack cocaine, 18 grams of marijuana, 9 Alprozolam pills, 16 Clonazapam pills, Oxycodone and Hydrocodone pills, more than $1,800 and paraphernalia used to manufacture crack cocaine. Officer Breneman was commended for her dedication and consistent enforcement of traffic laws in the City, as well as her thoroughness and attention to detail which resulted in the seizure of a significant amount of contraband and currency.

 Officer Athena Mitchell was honored for her hard work and dedication to the Department’s Youth Services Division. Officer Athena Mitchell serves as the advisor to the Police Explorer Program. Under her leadership the group has excelled at the State Competition two years in a row. This year the team earned three trophies in the following categories: Search & Arrest, Firearms Simulation Training and Courtroom Testimony. The success was the result of extensive training and preparation. Officer Mitchell was commended for her leadership and professionalism serving the City’s youth.

 Telecommunications Operator Deborah Greer was honored for her dedication to her duties and her teamwork in organizing a fundraiser. Recently TCO II Greer chose to work extra to assist the Violent Crimes Task Force. During her shift a call came in to pick up a suspect in a homicide. As the end of her shift approached TCO II Greer didn’t hesitate to stay and work the call to the end. It was after 3:45 a.m. when she was able to go home. In addition, TCO II Greer is extremely selfless with her time. She and her daughter organized a bake sale to assist a co-worker who was recently diagnosed with cancer. The one-day bake sale raised more than $1,000. TCO II Greer was commended for her professionalism, her values and dedication to the Department and the community.