Special Operations Training Association Recognizes Edina Detective

Edina Police Detective Tom McKenzie received an Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award during the annual Special Operations Training Association Tactical Training Conference that took place March 25 in St. Cloud, Edina announced Thursday.

McKenzie was on the Edina SWAT team for 10 years then left to be the tactical liaison for the Edina Crisis Negotiators in 2005. Soon afterward, he also started as the team leader for the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department Weapons of Mass Destruction Tactical Team.

“Tom was a team player,” a news release quoted Edina Sgt. Scott Kuyper, who served as SWAT team leader during McKenzie’s tenure with the team. “He always did more than expected, got other members to push themselves and took his role on the team very seriously.”

McKenzie was nominated for the award by his peers in recognition “for his diligence, perseverance and devotion to duty and work for the Edina SWAT team.”