Ledyard Police Officer Among Those to Receive Community Policing Award

To commemorate National Community Policing Week, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut hosted a Community Policing Awards Ceremony this afternoon in New Haven that recognized 22 law enforcement officers and community members from cities and towns across the state.

“At heart, Community Policing is a philosophy that each of us, members of law enforcement and communities alike, have a stake in keeping our cities and towns safe and secure places to live,” U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly said in a release. “During National Community Policing Week, we celebrate our commitment to supporting the practice of community policing. Police can never solve public safety problems alone. We encourage active community collaboration to improve safety, build public trust and deepen understanding between police and the communities they serve.

"The officers and community members recognized today are excellent examples of the best in community policing and community relations. I am confident that their efforts are making meaningful and lasting progress, and it is my great privilege to honor each of them and to thank them for their invaluable work.”

Officer Rick McSwain of the Ledyard Police Department was among those recognized.

McSwain serves as Ledyard Police Department’s Youth Officer and School Resource Officer. He is a great example of how effective one officer can be in a community while interacting with its youth, according to a release.

He often can be found helping students and staff in Ledyard’s Public Schools. McSwain has developed tremendous ties and relationships within the school community. He makes safety presentations, eats lunch with students in the schools, and is a 24/7 resource for Ledyard’s youth and families.

In addition to his school based interactions, Rick gives tours of our police department to community groups, scouts, and other youth groups. He is involved with Ledyard’s “Stuff a Cruiser” toy drive in the holiday season.

McSwain has been invited to throw out the first pitch on opening day of little league, heads up our participation in Ledyard Children’s Day, and serves on the Ledyard Schools Crisis Team. He makes appearances without compensation at Ledyard Lions Club meetings, and in June, he was invited to speak at the American Legion Boys’ State Leadership Program at Eastern Connecticut State University.

He is also a member of Ledyard’s newly formed Juvenile Review Board for court diversion.

The United States Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing federal criminal laws in Connecticut, and with representing the federal government in civil litigation in the District. The District is composed of approximately 64 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and approximately 60 staff members at offices in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.

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