Awards ceremony honors Campus Police

Throughout the pandemic, the Campus Police Department (CPD) has served and protected New College, the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and the greater local community.

On June 14, during a long-delayed public ceremony in Sainer Pavilion (originally intended to be held last year but canceled due to COVID-19), the members of the department were honored for their work and dedication. Newly-appointed officers were sworn in, and numerous awards were given.

“I am so incredibly honored to work with the members of the CPD and happy we were able to recognize the officers for their exceptional achievements,” said Sgt. Kelley Masten. “This goes to show that the CPD has a commitment to our profession, our agency and the communities we serve.”

Sworn-in officers included Jemal Felicien, Kaili Insalaco and Pilar Mahady. Meritorious Lifesaving Awards were bestowed to Felicien, and Officers Danielle Pruner and John Chirgwin. And Officer Michael Clary was named the 2020 Officer of the Year.

“Working with the staff of the CPD is an honor,” said Chief of Police Michael A. Kessie. “This shows the department’s continual move forward as a professional and progressive police department that will always serve the community.”

Felicien, who came to the CPD last year from the North Port Police Department and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, received two Meritorious Lifesaving Awards (with a third on the way).

“It makes me happy knowing that the CPD is close enough to respond to somewhere quickly to save lives,” Felicien said, referring to the CPD’s role in the Sarasota-Manatee community (when necessary, officers respond to calls near the college campuses). “The swearing-in ceremony also meant a lot to me. Both my parents are retired from law enforcement in New York City, and it makes me happy knowing I followed their footsteps. Seeing them smile at the ceremony was just amazing.”

Chirgwin, a member of the CPD since 2018, received his third Meritorious Lifesaving Award for his role in an opiate overdose save in December.

“This honor means the world to me, and I have always been most proud of receiving lifesaving awards,” Chirgwin said. “For 2019, I was awarded Officer of the Year (and I have received that honor at other police departments that I have worked for), but there is nothing more rewarding than knowing you saved someone’s life. It is precisely why most of us decide to become police officers.”

Insalaco worked as an officer in California for six years before coming to the CPD in February, and she is proud to be part of the current team.

“There are a lot of officers who work for this department who do an amazing job every day, and it was great to see them being recognized at the ceremony for all of their hard work,” Insalaco said. “Additionally, it was amazing to see all the people who came out from both New College and USF to support us. It was wonderful to be able to share this moment with my family as well as with my new law enforcement family.”

For Mahady, the ceremony was an emotional moment.

“I first started with the CPD in late February of this year. The ceremony marked the beginning of my career as a police officer and being able to have my mother pass the torch of our profession (my mother was a police officer in New York),” Mahady said. “I want to thank my department and New College for the warm welcome, and I look forward to becoming a part of this community.”

Pruner, a CPD employee for 3½ years, appreciated the recognition.

“This experience [of receiving the award] created a nice feeling, as I was able to help save someone’s life,” Pruner said. “I love my job. It puts me in the area where I can assist with community relations, and it gives me the chance to meet people from different cultures.”

Clary was humbled to receive the Officer of the Year Award for 2020.

“It is an absolute honor,” said Clary, a four-year member of the CPD. “I have never been comfortable getting an award for anything unless it was team-oriented; however, I believe what I strive to do, day in and day out, every other officer and supervisor does as well at the CPD.”

The challenges of the past year made the honor even more significant, Clary said.

“With everything that has happened over the last year, and having to persevere through the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a very trying year for many students, faculty and staff on campus,” Clary said. “I feel privileged to be part of the CPD—a team that never gave up and came into work to serve the campus and community every day, every hour of the pandemic.”

For more information on the CPD, call 941-487-4210 or visit ncf.edu/police.

Abby Weingarten is the senior editor in the Office of Communications & Marketing.