BART Police honor outstanding officers and civilians at tenth annual BPD Awards Ceremony
People celebrate at the tenth annual BPD Awards Ceremony on Dec. 14, 2022.
On Wednesday, Dec. 14, the BART Police Department hosted its tenth annual end-of-year awards ceremony, honoring the individuals who served exceptionally over the past year.
“Thank you for your efforts and dedication towards the pursuit of our goal, which is to build a progressive, community-oriented police department that is tough on crime and strong on the rider experience,” BPD Chief Edgardo Alvarez said in his opening remarks.
The stories of heroics and compassion recounted at the ceremony would fill the pages of many books. The afternoon event was, in many ways, a space for storytelling – for recounting the past year in all its struggles and triumphs. Behind the case numbers and jargon, there are inspiring, real-world stories of bravery and understanding.
Officers Robert Cleary and Ulises Lemus, for example, were the first to respond to a shooting on a Daly City-bound train held at Lake Merritt Station.
“I ran in the direction everyone else was running away from,” said Cleary.
Deputy Chief Kevin Franklin, Deputy Chief Gina Galetti, Deputy Chief Ja’Son Scott, and Chief Edgardo Alvarez at the tenth annual BPD Awards Ceremony on Dec. 14, 2022.
When Cleary arrived on-scene, he found a victim with several gunshot wounds on his body. Cleary immediately jumped into action, using a passenger’s sweater to apply pressure to the wounds and a tourniquet to stop the excessive bleeding of one of the victim’s legs. Throughout, Cleary, who was assisted by Lemus, kept the victim calm until paramedics arrived.
“BPD has done a great job training its officers to deal with critical incidents,” Cleary said. “That day, the training kicked in.”
Not every individual honored at the ceremony works in law enforcement. The Good Samaritan Award this year honored two civilians – Agustin Diaz, a BART construction worker who fought off an elderly couple’s attackers while off-duty at Antioch Station; and Norman Balladeres, who was walking with his family near the plaza of 24th St. Mission Station when he saved a woman by tackling her attacker to the ground.
“I just did what any person would do,” Balladeres said of the incident. “[The victim] could have been someone’s mother or grandmother or sister. It was just reflex.”
For Sergeant Daniel Jones and Lieutenant Anisa McNack, going above and beyond to help people is second nature. The officers’ work at BPD stands out for its emphasis on caring, compassion, and community.
Lieutenant Anisa McNack smiles after receiving an award at the tenth annual BPD Awards Ceremony on Dec. 14, 2022.
“Everything I do is not about me; it’s a bigger picture,” said McNack, who, in addition to routinely contributing to BPD’s host of community service events, is also the president of the SF Bay Area Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
“I just really enjoy investing in others,” she said.
Jones said his community service stems from a place of personal recognition. While growing up, there was one year his family couldn’t afford to have Christmas. That day, someone dropped off a few Gameboys on the front step.
“I remember how that felt to me, and if we don’t carry that feeling onto other people…” said Jones, who is putting on a clothing drive this week, unaffiliated with BPD. “It takes a village. You don’t have to be special. Whatever you can do, get out there and do it.”
At this year’s ceremony, the Chief’s Award went to the entire BPD Criminal Investigations Division, consisting of Detective Heherson Enerio, Detective William Baker, Detective Pablo Chamorro, Detective Kenneth Rosenbaum, Detective Miguel Llamas, Detective Michael Polcar, Detective Jefferson Dominguez, Community Service Officer Lateefa Davis and Analyst Victor Wang.
Lieutenant Jesse Sekhon, who served as master of ceremonies, recognized that the year has been “exceptionally busy” for the division.
The crowd at the tenth annual BPD Awards Ceremony on Dec. 14, 2022.
“The job of a detective, crime analyst, and evidence technician are often considered thankless jobs because the hundreds of hours spent working an investigation, almost entirely behind the scenes, easily goes unnoticed,” Sekhon said. “Those who have held these positions can truly understand the amount of work that it takes to successfully investigate a case.”
Detective Jefferson Dominguez, speaking for the division, admitted that “we don’t come into law enforcement for recognition.” He applauded the unit’s diligent work, acknowledging the small team’s high caseload.
“We want to always do the best we can,” he said. “That’s our foremost goal.”
Community Service Officer Lateefa Davis, who is part of the Criminal Investigations Division, acknowledged that the award made her feel “really appreciated because what I do is kind of behind the scenes.”
That doesn’t mean she doesn’t give each case her utmost time and attention, including the many missing persons cases she’s investigated over the years. Davis is even the role model for Oakland Police’s use of civilians in this capacity.
“I investigate cases as if it were my own child missing,” she said. “It makes me happy to connect families.”
This year, the prestigious Officer of the Year Award went to Officer Anthony Craig, who’s been with BPD less than two years. In that time, he’s proven himself an invaluable member of the department.
Officer Anthony Craig, Officer of the Year, poses in front of BPD Headquarters on Dec. 14, 2022.
Earlier this year, Craig was selected as an Explorer Post Advisor, meaning he guides youth and helps them explore law enforcement careers, and in April, was selected as a Field Training Officer. His sergeant, in a recent evaluation, cheered Craig’s work ethic and influence on fellow officers.
Craig, who joined BPD from the Hercules Police Department, called the award “a great honor.”
The Civilian of the Year Award went to the very deserving Community Service Officer Michele Lazaneo, a 25-year veteran of the department who’s held a host of assignments at BPD, including dispatcher. Lazaneo revealed some bittersweet news during her speech: She plans to retire from BPD soon.
“Throughout my 25-year career, my commitment to serve has always been at the heart of my work. My desire to serve includes officers and civilians, District employees and riders, as well as the surrounding community,” Lazaneo said. “One thing is for sure, whether dressed in a blue uniform or not, I will continue to serve others.”
Congratulations to the award recipients:
GOOD SAMARITAN AWARD – Norman Balladares and Agustine Diaz
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD – Lieutenant Anisa McNack and Sergeant Daniel Jones
EXCEPTIONAL CASE AWARD – Officer Matthew Campbell, Officer Nicholas Marson, Officer Juan Gutierrez, and Officer Kevin Zhang
CIVILIAN OF THE YEAR – Community Service Officer Michele Lazaneo
OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Officer Anthony Craig
CHIEF’S AWARD – Detective Heherson Enerio, Detective William Baker, Detective Pablo Chamorro, Detective Kenneth Rosenbaum, Detective Miguel Llamas, Detective Michael Polcar, Detective Jefferson Dominguez, CSO Lateefa Davis and Analyst Victor Wang
DISPATCHER OF THE YEAR- Dispatcher Patricia McPeak
LIFESAVING AWARD – Officer Robert Cleary, and Officer Ulises Lemus