PORT ORCHARD – A Kitsap man who volunteered more than 5,500 hours of service with the Citizens on Patrol program was recognized for his efforts this week.
Michael J. Kennedy, a Citizens on Patrol – or “COP” – volunteer with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, was honored by the Kitsap Board of County Commissioners with the Outstanding County Volunteer Award prior to a Kitsap County commissioners meeting recently.
The award was presented to Kennedy by Sheriff Gary Simpson before the board of commissioners, fellow COP volunteers, guests and county residents.
Kennedy was formally recognized for his leadership role as the COP unit’s training sergeant with more than 5,500 hours donated to the county. County officials estimate the value of his volunteer county service to exceed $151,000.
As a COP unit sergeant, Kennedy was responsible for coordinating the training of the 24-member COP program. He assumed additional responsibilities by updating the unit’s policy manual, organizing the unit’s administrative files system and streamlining the prospective member application, selection and qualification process.
Kennedy has served as a COP volunteer for more than 10 years. He was voted COP of the year by his peers three times and has inspired the unit to function smoothly and with minimal supervision by sheriff’s office personnel.
His positive attitude, work ethic and quality of work is an inspiration to all volunteers, and full-time agency employees.
The COP program supports the sheriff’s office by processing and impounding abandoned and junk vehicles, conducting vacation house checks while owners are away, performing residential security evaluations and educating the public about state law and county ordinances pertaining to motor vehicle parking.
Following the presentation, Commissioner Robert Gelder, board chairman, together with Commissioner Charlotte Garrido and Commissioner Edward Wolfe, praised the long service commitment of Kennedy and his countless hours of service to the county, acknowledging that such dedication has an impact on county services that otherwise wouldn’t be completed or even available.
The commissioners paid tribute to the more than 4,000 community volunteers whose skills assist in the delivery of civic amenities, and the maintenance, upkeep and preservation of county parks and lands.
Persons interested in the Citizens on Patrol volunteer program may find additional information at: http://www.kitsapgov.com/sheriff/volunteers/cop.htm.
