FortBendNow.com

The Sugar Land Police Department’s first-ever Employee of the Year Award went to a police officer who made more than 70 arrests last year, including 18 for driving while intoxicated.

Krachala

Officer Charles Krachala, of SLPD’s Traffic Division, made several of his DWI arrests during the day, but he regularly volunteers for additional overnight hours during special DWI enforcement initiatives intended to keep Sugar Land’s highways and roadways safe for law-abiding motorists.  

“Chuck makes thousands of contacts a year,” said Sgt. Wayne Coleman, Krachala’s supervisor, “and he very rarely has anyone call to complain on the way they were treated.  They may not like the citation received, but they will always say that he was professional.”

The 2010 Employee of the Year trophy, a replica of the Guardian statue in front of SLPD, was presented to Krachala at Safari Texas Ranch on Feb. 4 during the first annual SLPD Employee Awards Banquet, an event attended by more than 250 people.  The SLPD Meritorious Conduct Board selected Krachala based on his “dedication to public safety and tremendous work ethic” throughout 2009.

Krachala wrote more than 3,000 traffic citations from Oct. 1, 2008, to Sept. 15, 2009 – 18 percent of SLPD’s entire ticket count last year.

“To put this in perspective, the nearest officer to him wrote just over 1,600 citations,” said Coleman.

During the last year, Krachala also:

● worked more than 60 traffic accidents;

●  volunteered for special assignments;

●  conducted media interviews and ride-alongs to educate the

community about traffic enforcement initiatives;

●  hosted resident ride-alongs to help promote a better understand

of city services;

● volunteered at the National Day of Prayer event;

●  taught SLPD’s Community Assistance Support Team how to use

ticket writers; and

● researched and priced equipment needed by the Traffic Division.

 “When you deal with Chuck, you will find out very quickly that he is open and honest,” said Coleman.  “Don’t ask him a question if you do not want an honest answer.  I can send him out to speak to any group because of his friendly demeanor, his open and honest approach and his desire to be the best.  He is responsive, honest, courteous, transparent, and supportive and treats others how he, you, and I would want to be treated.”

Others honored during the awards banquet included the following.

● Community Assistant Support Team member Deb Smith was named

volunteer of the year.

●Ralph Twist was named Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association

volunteer of the year.

● Capt. Michelle Allen was named Police Officer of the Year for

CPAAA.

● Lt. Johnny Bauer and Mary Masters were recognized for 2009

Re-Accreditation.

●The Guardian Statue and replica Employee of the Year award were

designed and created by local sculptor Bob Pack, who was recognized for his efforts.