ADC Special Investigators Honored

October 2, 2009

 

Two Criminal Investigation Unit officers with the Arizona Department of Corrections have been recognized for their hard work in disabling security threat groups and prison gangs with the “2009 Jason Schechterle Correctional Institution of the Year Award.”  The officers, who have requested not to be identified so they may continue their undercover work, were presented the award during the 100 Club of Arizona’s 3rd annual Jason Schechterle Scholarship Ball. 

The two officers work primarily with outside law enforcement agencies, informing them of who is coming into their area after being released from prison.  During the months from July, 2008 to July, 2009, they also participated in “Operation Northstar”, a special investigation into the illicit activities of a large prison gang.  Working with the FBI’s Violent Street Gang Task Force, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and both Phoenix and Mesa Police, their assistance in the operation resulted in 26 arrests on 109 felony counts.  During the investigation, the FBI command staff repeatedly recognized the two officers for serving “a vital role” in the successful outcome of the investigation. 

On September 26, the 100 Club of Arizona honored both men with the inaugural Correctional Institution Officer of the Year Award for their outstanding performance “to protect human life and thwart violence, extortion and drug activities within the Arizona Department of Corrections and throughout the public sector.”

 

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