Marion officials and law enforcement congratulated officer Robert Strickland Friday as he was named Marion Police Department’s Officer of the Year.
A 13-year veteran of law enforcement, Strickland has served with Marion Police Department for about a year. In that time, he has established himself as a reliable, hardworking officer who will go the extra mile to help the community, Police Chief Randall Davis said.
“This guy comes to work with a smile on his face, ready to work, ready to serve the community, whatever it takes,” he said. “Guys like that need to be recognized for what they do for this community.”
Police officers don’t often receive recognition for their work, Davis said, but they should. Naming Strickland as Officer of the Year, he said, is one way to show that the hard work put into policing has been noticed and is appreciated.
“There’s never enough congratulations. There’s never enough anything to tell what these guys do everyday,” he said. “And today, we just want to let Mr. Strickland know today that we, for Marion police, appreciate him for the highest of what he does and the service he does for the town of Marion and this community.”
Assistant Chief Arthur Hopson said Strickland is a good officer, a good person and always willing to help out when needed.
“If we need something, if he can do it, if he’s available, he’s going to help us out,” Hopson said. “So I really appreciate him for that. You know, you don’t have many that will do what he will do. Besides that, he’s just a great person all the way around.”
Finding people who are willing to work and willing to go the extra mile can be challenging, Mayor Larry Gill said, but the town of Marion has found that in Strickland. Law enforcement is a difficult job, he said, and there will never be enough money to pay officers for what they do.
Strickland, who previously served with Meridian Police Department’s reserves, said he is grateful for the opportunity to come to Marion Police Department and serve the community. Law enforcement may not be the best paying job, he said, but it is what he loves to do.
“It’s not about the money. It’s about something we enjoy doing and helping the community and everything like that,” he said. “And I love what I do, but at the same time helping the community to do what I need to do to protect and serve.”
In the time he’s been with the department, Strickland said, he has had a chance to learn and grow and plans to continue serving the residents of Marion for years to come.
“This is a great department to work for and learn,” he said. “How small or how big they are, they’ve got a big heart and they’re willing to teach, and I’m willing to learn. So that’s a good thing and these guys are great.”