Richardson police chief and other official receive public safety accolades

by Andrew Laska of Richardson Echo

RICHARDSON — June was a good month for awards and accolades given to Richardson’s public safety officials. On June 9th, the Richardson City Council issued a proclamation honoring Richardson Police Chief Zacharias that recognized him for receiving an award from the Texas Police Chief’s Association. Richardson residents apparently overwhelmingly support Chief Zacharias and Fire Chief Alan Palomba according to a recent survey by local group, Richardson Residents for Responsive Government. Lastly, International Association of Chiefs of Police will honor Richardson’s law enforcement volunteer programs later this year.

Earlier this year the Texas Police Chief’s Association awarded their Career Achievement Award to Richardson Police Chief Larry Zacharias. The award is otherwise known as their “Top Cop” award is awarded by the Texas Police Chief’s Association for their most deserving member’s lifetime achievements and contributions to law enforcement.

The City chose to honor Zacharias on June 9th during its regular council meeting by voting unanimously to honor Chief Zacharias for the award he received. The crowd on hand and the entire city council gave him a standing ovation.

In his comments of acceptance Chief Zacharias said the award was really a tribute to the professionalism of the members of Richardson’s Police Department.

Councilman Dennis Stewart, who is a retired Richardson Police Officer, stated, “I do a fair amount of traveling to police departments all over the U.S and its not just these council people who know about Richardson…Departments throughout the U.S. appreciate us.”

Councilman John Murphy in thanking Chief Zacharias said, “We take a lot of credit for what you actually do.”

Councilman Gary Slagel said, “You do such a great job. You have been a great leader [in the community] even before you were chief. You’ve worked hard and we appreciate it.”

Councilwoman Pris Hayes said, “You really are a Top Cop. I’ve known a few and you are at the top of that list.”

Mayor Pro Tem Bob Townsend jokingly said he had to love Zacharias, “because my wife loves him.”

“You are the elite of the elite,” he said, “You are a vital part of the community and a man that I am proud to know. I’ve heard nothing but positive things.”

Mayor Steve Mitchell said that his fellow council members had said it all and that the council could not thank him enough, “Thanks for your 31 years of dedicated service.”

As Mayor Mitchell (seen in the picture awarding the proclamation) said, Chief Zacharias has been with the Richardson Police for 31 years and he has been Chief for the past six years.

On another front, a local political action committee released to the Richardson Echo partial results of a survey they conducted back in November. We first reported on it in April. The survey was conducted by Richardson Residents for Responsive Government.

Their survey asked about what the public thought of the performance of Police Chief Zacharias and Fire Chief Alan Palomba in separate questions. According to their survey, both Zacharias and Palomba received extremely high approval ratings from the citizens surveyed. If the survey is an accurate representation of Richardson residents’ views then both Zacharias and Palomba are well liked by Richardson residents.

The survey was conducted by a major polling organization. We can describe qualitatively that both men received extremely high approval ratings (as did City Manager Bill Keffler as noted in the previous story). You can read about how the Richardson Echo obtained some results of the survey in the previous story.

Lastly, the International Association of Chiefs of Police or IACP announced that it will give the Richardson Police Department its Outstanding Achievement in Law Enforcement Volunteer Programs award, according to Sergeant Coby Pewitt of the Richardson Police.

According to Officer Pewitt, “This annual award recognizes law enforcement agencies that have developed and implemented creative and effective law enforcement volunteer programs. The award recognizes agencies that most exemplify the goals, concepts, and spirit of volunteerism in action.”

The award will be presented to the Richardson Police Department at the IACP’s annual conference in November.

Congratulations to Chief Zacharias and all the other public safety officials and volunteers in Richardson.

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