“It’s heartwarming to know your work is making a difference”: The BART Police Department honors exceptional officers and civilians at 11th annual awards ceremony

On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the BART Police Department hosted its 11th annual awards ceremony to honor the officers, civilians, and good Samaritans who went above and beyond to serve their community over the past year. View photos of the honorees in attendance in the above slideshow.  

There was a heavy heaping of holiday cheer in the air as department members gathered with their families in a festive room, decorated with balloons and trees trimmed in BART’s blue and white colors. The jovial master of ceremonies, Lieutenant Jesse Sekhon, came dressed in a new BART holiday sweater, embellished with holiday-themed BART Police patches. 

Chief of Police Kevin Franklin opened the ceremony by welcoming attendees, including recently retired BART Police Chief Ed Alvarez, to the standing-room-only gathering and recognizing department members who were working shifts during the celebration. Franklin began his remarks by defining some of the many changes the department saw in 2023, including a redeployment strategy that has more than doubled the presence of sworn officers on trains. 

Franklin also cited the department’s immense recruitment efforts to fill officer vacancies. In June, the BART Board of Directors approved an agreement that increases police officer salaries to put the department’s pay on par with other Bay Area law enforcement agencies.  

“Hiring is nonstop right now,” Franklin said.  

Following Franklin’s remarks, the presentation of colors, and the chaplain’s invocation, Sekhon – the lights of his holiday sweater blinking – took to the mic to begin the awards ceremony. All honorees were nominated for their awards by their colleagues. 

The first honoree was Crisis Intervention Specialist (CIS) Amnesty Afholderbach, who was recognized with the Community Service Award for her “vigilance, awareness, and quick response,” which has resulted in numerous apprehensions and many lives being saved throughout the system. Her peers and supervisor said she represents the ethos and philosophy of community-oriented policing “to the fullest.” 

The second Community Service Award recognized CIS Natalie Robinson, CIS Ciaundria Allen, and CIS Leslye Chavez for their efforts to offer services to a specific group of individuals who often visited Castro Valley Station. One of the individuals, Harley, is the son of a BART employee.  

On Sept. 25, 2023, Harley walked into the station in search of CIS Robinson. He said he was ready to get help for his drug addiction, which had led to him living on the street. CISes Robinson, Allen, and Chavez coordinated with Harley’s parents, BART foreworker Bryan Snyder and Melissa Snyder, to coordinate paperwork and insurance information and help to arrange travel to the treatment program. The CISes saw him off at the train station. They even packed him food for the journey.  

Speaking at the ceremony, Bryan Snyder announced that his son has been sober for 80 days. Attendees clapped and cheered at the news, with many wiping tears.  

“We are so lucky to have crossed paths with them. They saved our son,” Melissa Snyder said of the CIS team.  

Robinson said the Snyders are “like family to me now," and that she and her team members receive regular updates on Harley’s condition.  

“We’re cheering him on,” Robinson said. “It’s heartwarming to know your work is making a difference.”  

The emotional presentation of the Community Service Award was followed by the conferment of the Exceptional Case Award, honoring Detective Michael Polcar, Officer Miguel Tellez, and Detective William Baker for their fast work in apprehending a murder suspect just over an hour after the suspect committed the crime.  

Community Service Officer Eufracio “Ace” Lanta, who was hired just a year ago at twenty years old, was then named Civilian of the Year for his proactivity and eagerness to support fellow department members. Sekhon noted that for the first time in BART Police Awards history, Lanta’s nomination came from multiple sergeants and officers.  

Three members of the public were recognized with the Good Samaritan Award: William Hannigan, Cynthia Christian, and Shawyan Moosavi. Sekhon said the group sprang into action in December 2022 to restrain a suspect on a train until police arrived. Moosavi was in attendance to collect the award.  

The Life-Saving Award honored Sergeant Shaun O’Connor, Officer Prabhdeep Chehal, Officer Teaundre Matthews, Officer Frances Shannon, Officer Michael Roman, Officer Justis Miller, Officer Travis West, Officer Glen Eddy, and Officer Marc Mabalot. In January, the officers worked together and demonstrated creativity and quick-thinking to ensure a man was brought to safety from the trackway.  

Three awards followed, including Patsy Lara-Hernandez being named Dispatcher of the Year. Lara-Hernandez was commended for always maintaining high spirits in the dispatch center as well as her ongoing efforts to train new employees. She brought a special guest to the ceremony – her new baby.  

Officer of the Year Garrett Dibble was recognized as a standout member of the department for his exceptional work ethic, his regular volunteering efforts, and his passion for police work. “I have no doubt that this will be the first of many recognitions in his career,” Sekhon said. After the ceremony, Dibble noted that the award “is a career accomplishment for me." 

The final honoree was Sergeant Christopher Plumley, who was honored with the Chief’s Award. Plumley was commended for helping to further define and expand his role as Administrative Patrol Sergeant as well as assisting in the creation of the department’s redeployment plan, which he helped roll out in March 2023.  

After the ceremony, Plumley said it “means a lot to be recognized, but it’s always a team effort.”  

“We’re a family when we come in each day, and a family when we go home,” he said. His words provide a neat summary for the spirit of the awards ceremony and the department ethos at large.  

Congratulations to the 2023 BART Police Award Winners 

Community Service Award: Crisis Intervention Specialist (CIS) Amnesty Afholderbach, CIS Natalie Robinson, CIS Ciaundria Allen, and CIS Leslye Chavez 

Exceptional Case Award: Detective Michael Polcar, Officer Miguel Tellez, and Detective William Baker  

Civilian of the Year: Community Service Officer Eufracio “Ace” Lanta  

Good Samaritan Award:  William Hannigan, Cynthia Christian, and Shawyan Moosavi 

Life Saving Award: Sergeant Shaun O’Connor, Officer Prabhdeep Chehal, Officer Teaundre Matthews, Officer Frances Shannon, Officer Michael Roman, Officer Justis Miller, Officer Travis West, Officer Glen Eddy, Officer Marc Mabalot 

Dispatcher of the Year: Dispatcher Patsy Lara-Hernandez 

Officer of the Year: Officer Garrett Dibble 

Chief’s Award: Sergeant Christopher Plumley