San Leandro Police Lieutenant Receives National Honor

SAN LEANDRO, CA — San Leandro Police Lt. Randy Brandt has been named Officer of the Month by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. He was chosen for his work in organizing the SWAT Fitness Challenge, which benefits the George Mark Children’s House.

Brandt told the national organization that one of his greatest sources of pride through his 19-year law enforcement career is his participation, supervision and management of the SLPD’s SWAT team. His dedication led him to create the SWAT Fitness Challenge in 2007. “I brought it together to bring camaraderie and to bring training ideas together and networking,” Lieutenant Brandt said.

Over the years the Challenge has grown, with more than 40 teams competing in 2015, some coming from as far away as Saskatchewan, Canada.

After a visit in 2014 to the George Mark Children’s House, Brandt decided to make it the beneficiary of the Challenge’s fundraising efforts. The George Mark Children’s House is a pediatric palliative care center in San Leandro, providing hospice and respite care to children, in hopes of reducing the stress on patients and their families.

“I was invited [to George Mark] as a motorcycle sergeant because the kids really liked motor cops. So we decided to bring our whole unit up there because we thought it might be a fun day,” Brandt said. “Walking through there we were moved by what we were seeing more than the kids were about seeing us.”

Each team is asked to raise at least $500 for the pediatric care center. In 2014, they raised $25,000, which grew to $32,000 in 2015. In 2016, the teams raised $96,000.

Brandt also spearheaded an effort to make a teenage patient from George Mark Children’s House an SLPD Honorary Officer.

“Brandt has proven time and time again that he is a caring and dedicated individual and professional, who embodies SLPD’s motto of Teamwork, Integrity, Professionalism and Service,” said Ken Sommer, Director of Advancement for George Mark Children’s House.

“Undoubtedly, Lt. Brandt’s commitment to fitness and wellness are evidenced in his assignment choices and his accomplishments in the SWAT Fitness Challenge,” SLPD St. Troy Young said. “He has a great sense of the importance of the community and the role law enforcement should play in our communities.”

“Lt. Brandt’s work with George Mark Children’s House is commendable,” Memorial Fund President and CEO Craig W. Floyd said. “Not only is his dedication to the wellness of his fellow officers, but to the children in his community. It’s his life’s work that earns him the July 2016 Officer of the Month Award.”

About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Located in the nation’s capital, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. The Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award Program began in 1996 and recognizes federal, state, and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.
Lt. Randy Brandt, along with the other Officer of the Month Award recipients for 2016, will be honored during National Police Week at a special awards ceremony in Washington, DC, in May 2017.

— National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund; Image via SLPD