The Madison Police Department was one of five overall winners in the Community Policing Award, presented by Cisco; Madison was co-winner in its division with Leesburg, Va. (File Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

MADISON – The Madison Police force was recently announced as one of 10 winners – among police departments from across the world – for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Cisco Systems Community Policing Award.

There were five winners for the award to go along with four finalists and one recipient of the Special Recognition Homeland Security honor. Madison was a co-winner for the “population of 20,001 to 50,000 residents” division with Leesburg, Va.

“I applaud those recognized with this prestigious award and know that what they have created in their communities will positively impact the law enforcement community worldwide,” IACP President Yost Zakhary said in a press release.

The award puts a spotlight on community policing and forces going above and beyond what is required of normal law enforcement agencies.

The winners will be recognized at the 121^st IACP conference in Orlando, Fla. on Oct. 24. Lt. Wayne Kamus of the Madison Police Department said Chief Larry Muncey is slated to attend the conference.

“It’s getting out of your cars, getting out in the community,” Kamus said of the community-oriented force. “It’s not just riding in your cars.”

Kamus also highlighted the numerous programs the department puts on for segments of the community, including the summer camps for incoming sixth graders at Madison City Schools and the senior crime prevention seminars for senior citizens.

“This year’s recognized agencies are examples of community policing best practices,” the press release goes on to state. “Their entries demonstrate the meaningful change that can occur when law enforcement officials and their communities are empowered to utilize all available resources for crime prevention and improvement of quality of life.”

The Madison Police Department and Chief Muncey are both members of the IACP, which was started in Chicago in 1893. The organization is comprised of over 16,000 members in 94 countries.