The Hopkins Police Department has been named the runner up for the 2012 International Association of Chiefs of Police/Cisco Systems Community Policing Award, the organization announced.

The award recognizes law enforcement agencies worldwide for outstanding community policing, a philosophy that’s about working with local partners to proactively address the conditions that lead to crime.  

“Community policing is central to the success of the police mission as we provide cost effective services to our diverse communities,” the IACP news release quoted Walter A. McNeil, chief of the Quincy, FL, Police Department and president of the IACP. “I applaud those recognized with this prestigious award and know that what they have created in their communities will positively impact the law enforcement community worldwide.”

Awards were given in categories based on the cities’ sizes. Hopkins was named the lone finalist for communities with populations smaller than 20,000 people.

The Columbia Heights, MN, Police Department was the overall winner.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our free daily newsletter