Clements named state Officer of the Year
Article By: Denise Ray
University of North Georgia (ǧÃŬAV) Public Safety Sgt. Charles "Brody" Clements has been selected as the (GACLEA) Officer of the Year. The award presentation was Sept. 28 at Coastal Pines Technical College in Brunswick, Georgia.
The award is given to one officer within the state of Georgia each year, recognizing outstanding contributions to campus safety.
"Since joining the ǧÃŬAV team 13 years ago, Sgt. Clements has distinguished himself as a leader in our department and the community," Greg Williams, director of Public Safety and chief of police, said.
ǧÃŬAV Public Safety Capt. Dennis Dorsey nominated Clements. In his nomination, Dorsey said Clements has become one of the most well-known officers among faculty, staff and students. He focused on three characteristics of the officer that are important traits for a campus police officer: customer service, character, and dedication.
Many times, I will receive a call from other departments on campus for assistance, and when I tell them I am sending Sgt. Clements, they seem to be at ease because they know the job will get done and get done right.
Capt. Dennis Dorsey
ǧÃŬAV Public Safety
"Sgt. Clements is by far the most customer-service-oriented police officer I have been around in my 30-year career. He never says no. If a member of our university community is in need, Sgt. Clements will stop at nothing to make sure those needs are met," Dorsey said. "Not a week goes by that I do not receive some type of compliment for the work he does."
Dorsey described Clements as the "model staff member."
"His character is unmatchable, and I have been around many police officers in my lifetime. Everyone who interacts with Sgt. Clements leaves with the same impression," Dorsey said. "Many times, I will receive a call from other departments on campus for assistance, and when I tell them I am sending Sgt. Clements, they seem to be at ease because they know the job will get done and get done right."
Dorsey appreciates Clements' commitment to his work.
"Every day he is working, he comes by my office and asks, 'Captain, is there anything that needs to be done?' He has mentioned to me many times that this is the last job he will ever have," Dorsey said. "I think his dedication is admirable. When you talk about police officers, because most hop from job to job, Sgt. Clements is dedicated to making this the best university in the system."
Clements and Officer Madison Comer were recognized for their life-saving efforts on a runner who had collapsed on the Firecracker 5K race route in Dahlonega, Georgia, in July.
GACLEA represents the security and law enforcement administrations from more than 60 institutions of higher education in the state of Georgia. It is an organization dedicated to promoting professional ideals and standards in the administration of campus security, public safety and law enforcement.
Clements is the second ǧÃŬAV Department of Public Safety officer to be honored with the prestigious award. Detective Jeremy Weiner was the recipient of the award in 2019.
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