Two police officers from USF Police Department (USFPD) recently received top awards for their dedication and commitment to the safety and security of the USF community.
Magali Santiago, detective at the USFPD, received the Officer of the Year Award from USFPD for her courage, integrity and willingness to protect the community – gaining great respect from supervisors, peers and the public.
She was also recognized for that award at the 23rd Annual Our Heroes Luncheon -- an annual event which honors the brave men and women of Hillsborough County’s law enforcement and fire rescue.
(L to R). Magali Santiago, detective for the USFPD, receives the Officer of the Year Award from Christopher L. Daniel, police chief for the USFPD.
Detective Santiago joined USFPD in 2007 as a patrol officer. She left the department in 2011, but came back in 2014. She is a certified mountain bike officer, a recruitment officer, a RAD instructor and a member of the USFPD Honor Guard.In March 2015, detective Santiago was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division as a detective.
“Detective Santiago is always positive, always willing to help other officers with their cases and always conducts herself with the highest degree of professionalism,” her award nomination letter states.“She has consistently been willing to adjust her schedule, often with little notice, to assist with investigations and dignitary details.”
USFPD Corporal Scott Parker was also awarded the 2017 Drug-Free World Hero Award from the Drug-Free World Heroes Awards Banquet. He was recognized for his leadership in drug prevention programs, education initiatives and community awareness.
USFPD Corporal Scott Parker (3rd left) pictured with peers after receiving the 2017 Drug-Free World Hero Award.
Corporal Parker consistently gives back to the community -- providing hundreds of hours of group presentations to students, faculty, staff, community members and local governmental agencies on topics such as drug and alcohol awareness and emerging drug trends. He also serves as an instructor at Hillsborough Community College where he teaches Standard Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) and specialized driving under the Influence (DUI) training courses.
Corporal Parker is a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and certified through the Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) program.A nine-year veteran of the USFPD, Parker also spearheads the department’s DUI initiatives -- including the Sobriety and Comprehensive Roadside Safety Checkpoints.
“Detective Santiago and Corporal Parker are two examples of the many officers at the USFPD who work every day to help keep this community safe,” said Christopher L. Daniel, police chief for the USFPD. “We are proud of these two officers for their very fine accomplishments, and we appreciate the value they bring to our agency.”
Story by Vjollca Hysenlika, USF Health Marketing and Communications