Kiwanis Police Officer of the Year awards presented
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MARQUETTE -- Three Marquette police officers were presented police officer of the year awards by the Kiwanis Club of Marquette.
Three years worth of awards were presented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officer James Britton was presented the Kiwanis Police Officer of the Year 2020 award for his strong work ethic and being an excellent representative of the police department with the public.
"This means a lot to me," Britton said. "One of my goals when I first got hired on was to get officer of the year and I'm glad I was able to do that before I got promoted."
Britton has been with the department since 2016 and works with the department's facilities security plan team, is a firearms and taser instructor and is currently a field training officer.
"His professionalism, patience and desire to help others in every contact with the public is an example to others of how policing should be done today," Marquette Chief of Police Ryan Grim said, reading the nomination letter Thursday morning. "His efforts to train newer officers to this higher standard in all that we do exemplifies his attention to detail."
Officer Nick Calzetta was presented the Kiwanis Police Officer of the Year 2021 award for his reputation for dependability and attention to detail with his work ethic. Calzetta also brings a methodical, calming presence to his daily duties, according to the nomination letter.
"I came up (to Marquette) for school in 2007 and as soon as I got up here I knew this is where I wanted to start my life," Calzetta said. "I met my wife here in college and we have been here ever since, so I knew Marquette is where I wanted to be and I'm honored to be here today."
Calzetta has been with the department since 2019 and works with the department's FSP team, dive team, accreditation team and is a medical examiner investigator.
"He was recognized and given a Commendation Award for exceptional performance and conduct on a very serious felonious assault investigation that resulted in a conviction of the perpetrator and the preservation of life," Grim said. "Officer Calzetta is a team player and personifies the public servant mindset as detailed in our mission statement."
Officer Micah Heath was the final recipient of a Kiwanis award. Heath was presented the Kiwanis Police Officer of the Year 2022 award for his relentless effort to keep streets safe.
"I've always wanted to work for Marquette (Police Department)," Heath said. "So thank you guys for having us today."
Heath has been with the department since 2020 and is currently training to become a drug recognition expert, a high level of training to deal with impairment of drivers.
"His tireless effort to patrol and enforce traffic laws in our city has produced tremendous results. He accounted for 54 operating while intoxicated arrests on his own, not to mention assisting on numerous others. That number represents half of all the drunk driving arrests the department makes each year," Grim said. "Officer Heath conducts himself in a professional manner and treats citizens with the respect our agency requires at all times. His efforts to make our streets safer for everyone have been outstanding."
For more information on the police department visit marquettemi.gov.departments/police.