Police officers honored by Valley chiefs of police

YOUNGSTOWN — Police from the Mahoning Valley gathered Wednesday to honor 11 officers who have made great strides in law enforcement.

The Mahoning Valley Chiefs of Police Association had its annual awards banquet in Kilcawley Center on the Youngstown State University campus. Awards were given to officers in six categories: community policing, training experience, administrative excellence, distinguished service, investigative excellence and valor.

Austintown Police Chief Robert Gavalier, association chairman, said association members from various departments recommend officers worthy of recognition in one of the six categories. An awards committee then selects recipients from the list of recommendations.

“This is just our way to say thank you to all of these people for their contributions to these various organizations,” said Gavalier.

Read more in Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com