Houston Police Department, Retail Alliance to Receive Public-Private Partnership Award

Shanahan Award presented by IACP, sponsored by SIA

SILVER SPRING, MD — The Houston Police Department and the Greater Houston Loss Prevention Alliance (GHLPA) have been named the recipients of the Chief Michael Shanahan Award for Excellence in Public-Private Cooperation, presented by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and sponsored by the Security Industry Association (SIA).

The Shanahan Award recognizes outstanding achievement in the development and implementation of public-private cooperation in public safety. The Houston Police Department and the GHLPA were honored for an initiative that enables food, drug, and retail stores to work with each other and with law enforcement to reduce crime in the nation’s fourth-largest largest city.

The program, which started in 2009 as part of the police department’s Positive Interaction Program (PIP) overseen by Assistant Chief Dan Perales, includes such components as public awareness campaigns to promote the securing of vehicles and valuables, messages focused on child safety and efforts to reduce organized retail crime.

“Public-private partnerships are a key component to the success of law enforcement agencies and their ability to serve the communities they are sworn to protect,” IACP President Craig T. Steckler said. “By working together, we increase our strength and improve our ability to serve. I applaud the outstanding work of the Houston Police Department and the Greater Houston Loss Prevention Alliance. It is efforts like these that highlight the effectiveness that partnerships between law enforcement and the private sector can create.”

Houston Police Department Senior Police Officer James Sobota, the citywide PIP coordinator, said that the GHLPA companies, while competitors, have been “excited” to be able to share ideas in pursuit of their common goals of loss prevention and increased security.

“All of the participating retail members are happy to work together as one group, in a proactive approach, to reduce crime in the community,” Sobota said.

The participating stores include CVS, Family Dollar, Fiesta, HEB, Kroger, Randalls, Target, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart.

“Since the formation of the partnership between the GHLPA and the Houston Police Department, the success and the reduction in crime has been dramatic,” the organizations stated in their award application. “The cooperative partnership between the retailers provides expert resources, financial support, access to large numbers of citizens/customers and an efficient method to address crime where the crime occurs, inside and outside retail facilities…. This impact has made Houston a safer place to shop.” SIA CEO Don Erickson lauded the work being done in Houston.

“A fair amount can be accomplished by private or public organizations by themselves, but effectiveness skyrockets when they work together,” Erickson said. “The collaboration between the Houston Police Department and the members of the GHLPA is a great example of this. SIA, in partnership with the IACP, is honored to have the opportunity to recognize their success in reducing crime and making people safer.”

The Shanahan Award will be presented on Oct. 20, 2013, in Philadelphia during the IACP Annual Conference.

The award honors the late Chief Michael Shanahan, who served the University of Washington Police Department (UWPD) for 24 years before retiring in 1995. He made significant contributions to public safety not only as the UWPD chief but also as the co-chairman of the IACP’s Private Sector Liaison Committee from 1985 to 1999.

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About the Security Industry Association (SIA)

The Security Industry Association (www.securityindustry.org) is the leading trade association for electronic and physical security solution providers. SIA protects and advances its members’ interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels; creating open industry standards that enable integration; advancing industry professionalism through education and training; opening global market opportunities, and collaboration with other like-minded organizations. As a proud sponsor of ISC Expos and Conferences, and owner of the Securing New Ground Conference, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities.

About IACP

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (www.theiacp.org) is a dynamic organization that serves as the professional voice of law enforcement. Building on past success, the IACP addresses cutting edge issues confronting law enforcement though advocacy, programs, and research, as well as training and other professional services. IACP is a comprehensive professional organization that supports the law enforcement leaders of today and develops the leaders of tomorrow.