September 10, 2012

The Portland Police Bureau awarded the Distinguished Service Medal to key players in the Department of Community Justice's groundbreaking System Integration and Resource Network (SIRN) program, various community service groups and to key players in the Portland Police Bureau on Thursday, Sept. 6.

Among those who accepted honors for their work in this partnership were Commissioner Diane McKeel; Department of Community Justice Director Scott Taylor, Presiding Judge Nan Waller; DCJ Program Specialist Tina Edge; and DCJ Community Justice Manager Rick Jensen. Other honorees include (retired) Portland Police Training Unit Lt. Dave Virtue; and Tom Cleary, Senior Deputy District Attorney - Juvenile.

Under the partnership between DCJ and the Police Bureau, newly hired and newly sworn police officers learn how the parole, probation and juvenile justice systems work by spending several days with juvenile and adult community corrections as well as with community service providers. For more information, visit the SIRN website.

"This collaboration between DCJ, the police and our community is a great example of what we can achieve when we work together," said Commissioner Diane McKeel. "I'm so proud to be a part of this program that helps new officers learn about all the important work the county does in parole, probation and community justice."

View slideshow of SIRN presentation and award ceremony