Each and every day the Clermont Police Department works tirelessly to protect its citizens and once a year, recognizes those who exemplify the standards and values of the department. The CORE values are Courage, Honor, Integrity, Professionalism and Service Above Self.
The Clermont Police Department and Chief Charles Broadway appeared before council to recognize those who have shown exemplary value to the department and the citizens of Clermont.
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Diana Carter, Civilian of the Year
Diane Carter is the Chief’s Administrative Assistant. Before this role, she was instrumental in setting up the CPD first quartermaster services and a program where inventory of all equipment was recorded to ensure Officers received the required equipment to do their jobs effectively.
As the Chiefs Administrative Assistant, she created a training program to familiarize all new supervisors on payroll, timesheets approval processes and several administrative tasks. She also created all of the agency’s powerpoint presentations for our new hire ceremonies, promotional ceremonies and presentations. She routinely collects data from outside agencies and conducts research to ensure the best practices are in place. She communicates with the community on a daily basis providing exceptional services.
Diane is highly motivated and routinely looks for ways to improve the overall effectiveness of the CPD.
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Officer of the Year, Officer Brian Rebando
Officer Brian Rebando has received countless letters of commendation from various members of the CPD and community highlighting Officer Rebando’s professional conduct. A few noteworthy examples of his willingness to serve the community and his acts of kindness: He responded to a call from an elderly citizen whose mailbox had been destroyed and instead of just taking the report, Officer Rebando went out and purchased and installed a new mailbox for the citizen. Another example – Officer Rebando took it upon himself to pay for a citizen’s gas when he noticed the citizen couldn’t pay. And a third example: Officer Rebando has bought Slurpees for several children while at a local gas station. None of these acts of kindness are outside the norm for Officer Rebando.
Officer Rebando can be counted on to help his fellow officers. When he noticed the need for a motorcycle unit in the Traffic Division, he decided to attend and graduate from Motors school, which is a grueling and physically demanding 80-hour class.
His service above self is evident and deserving of praise.
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Supervisor of the Year, Sergeant Melissa France
The Traffic Unit has had many challenges presented to it over the year. These challenges included the retirement and transfer of senior personnel, staffing shortages and the issues faced as the unit continued to battle the effects of Covid-19. However, one thing that remained constant was the leadership provided by the Sergeant of the Traffic Unit, Sergeant Melissa France.
Under her leadership, the Traffic Enforcement Unit consistently provided exceptional services to the Clermont Community. She is a recent graduate of the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute and a former Task Force Officer that was attached to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Cybercrime Task Force. This taskforce investigates sexual abuse cases against children using the Internet as means of communication.
In October of this year, Sergeant France coordinated Central Florida’s first in-person Walk Like MADD event in two years due to pandemic restrictions. She developed a professional relationship with Purple Hearts for Tee, an organization formed by the family of Ms. Tierra Chambers, who was tragically killed in a DUI crash. In December 2021, Sergeant France and her team successfully organized Lake County’s sole DUI checkpoint with support from organizations including other Lake County Law Enforcement Agencies, MADD, and the Keri Anne DeMott Foundation.
Sergeant Melissa France models the CPD core values of Courage, Honor, Integrity, Professionalism and most importantly Service above Self.
Chief’s Achievement Award, Corporal Kris Kruse
Corporal Kruse serves as a patrol Corporal and supervisor for the Bravo Squad. Recently, Corporal Kruse noticed an area where the department was duplicating reports when issuing trespass warnings. Corporal Kruse did his research, proposed a solution, tested his solution and after review, implemented a new process. Corporal Kruse is a member of a county-wide DUI taskforce and assisted in Lake County’s sole DUI checkpoint, hosted here in the city of Clermont, by the Clermont Police Department. Within the last year, Corporal Kruse has accounted for over half of the department’s DUI arrest, resulting in 48 intoxicated individuals taken off the streets.
Corporal Kruse serves as a supervisor on Bravo Squad. He is an active member of the Field Training Program, served as a Public Information Officer, an Administrative Supervisor of the Police Explorers program and a member of the department’s Executive Union Board, playing a major role in recent contract negotiations. He is invested in both internal operations and the safety of the Citizens of Clermont.
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Life Saving Award, Sergeant Marc Thompson and Officers Kam-Wing Chan and Kayla Morales
On October 01, 2021, members from Bravo Platoon responded to the area of US 27 and the on ramp from State Road 50 regarding a report of a motorcycle accident involving injuries. As officers arrived, it became immediately apparent that the driver of the motorcycle had extensive, life threatening injuries that needed immediate treatment. Officer Chan, who was first on scene took charge of the incident and began to coordinate responding units while assessing the patients and providing medical aid.
Shortly after Officer Chan’s arrival, Sergeant Thompson, Officer Morales, Clermont Fire Department and Lake EMS arrived. Sergeant Thompson and Officers Chan and Morales continued providing lifesaving medical attention to the driver by applying direct pressure to an exposed femoral artery, providing encouraging words to the patient who was in a complete state of shock and working first hand with Fire and EMS to provide continued patient care in an effort to stabilize the patient for responding Air-Care.
Had to not been for the immediate action of these Officers and responding medical care, this horrific accident could have had a much different ending. Officers Chan’s ability to identify and communicate the needs at the scene proved to be essential to getting the resources needed in a timely manner. Officer Morales, who was on her first sole shift was able to jump in and provide immediate assistance as if she was a seasoned officer. Finally, Sergeant Thompson’s ability to multi-task during this event showed his abilities beyond his tenure. The efforts of Sergeant Thompson, Officer Chan and Officer Morales resulted in the preservation of life. ”
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Life Saving Award, Officers LaSean Biggs and Billy Lawless
On February 14th, 2022, Officers LaSean Biggs and Billy Lawles responded to a local residence regarding an alarm call. While on scene and investigating the alarm, officers heard noise coming from inside the garage. They were able to perform a buddy lift to look into the window of the garage and observed an individual wanting to inflict self-harm via hanging. These officers immediately forced entry into the home, separated the individual from the rope and began performing CPR until fire and EMS arrived. The CPD spoke with the responding fire and EMS personnel who gave credit to the officers for taking these life saving measures. Due to the officers’ on-scene investigation and quick and decisive actions taken, this homeowner is still with us today. What started out as an alarm call, turned into a lifesaving mission.
