2004 Recipients under the IAWP Officer of the Year Awards Program

Toni wrote a new mission statement for her department and it includes her credo: Planning above reaction, prevention vs. response and service above all.

Toni is in the University of Bridgeport Athletic Department Hall of Fame and during her time as an athlete she fought for changes through Title IX. This recognition of inequality and the legal and just means of changing what is wrong have stayed with Toni in her law enforcement career.

The following description of Sgt. Toni Rinaldi best describes her Officer of the Year qualities:

Training law enforcement officers is difficult in itself but to take our message to administrators, managers and others who govern our actions but only have a mythical vision of our real function is another story. Toni has done so in a manner that has left her audiences in full appreciation that the female officer is more than Officer Friendly or the Chief's spokesperson - both critical positions in themselves but of another discipline. In 2004 Sgt. Rinaldi greatly expanded her role as a trainer as you will hear further on.

The message I am trying to give you is that Toni Rinaldi consistently exposes herself to what changes are taking place in our profession, assures that she is competent as an individual and then takes that knowledge to the persons whom have been entrusted to her position as a trainer and caretaker both. I have seen many fine and courageous officers receive awards of many types for bravery, investigative skills - especially those of an under cover nature - they were well deserved. In 2003 Sgt. Rinaldi was not exposed to any life endangering incidents thus was not in a position to be heroic in deed, she did not lead any major investigations and was not involved in any intense narcotic or vice undercover actions. What she did in 2003 was to continue to exhibit in an exemplar and positive manner that female officers, in Connecticut, can and will perform, instruct and lead in the most vital and changing area of Public Safety - the response and containment of disaster and crisis of any kind - natural or stemming from the evil of human nature. In the ever so long road to equality for the female in law enforcement accomplishments of individuals such as Toni Rinaldi may well be recognized as making the road quite less rigorous.

Constable Hamilton has been involved in many serious, high level and complex investigations. Many of these investigations included drug trafficking on a national and international level. She has gained acceptance and assimilate herself within the various individuals and groups which were being targeted.

Lynne became involved in conspiracies to import heroin. She had to travel to an Asian country and assume a false identity. She was so convincing that she quickly penetrated and was accepted by the target. She was successful and provided evidence to a foreign court to have successful convictions. She has been involved in over 19 undercover activities with all but one resulting in convictions.

Please congratulate Constable Lynne Hamilton for her excellence in undercover work and investigation.

Kathleen commands over 124 sworn officers along with several civilian employees. Her responsibilities require her to lead no only uniformed officers, but also the precincts detective units, and all the units and teams of personnel that carry out separate precinct functions. She displays quality management and leadership in her supervision of all of the functions.

A supervisor said that Captain Meeks-Hall has close working relationships with her personnel that have prevented grievances and other employee actions. Her management style assures accountability, but is flexible enough for adapting to changing dynamics. It also ensures approachability and inclusion for the employees. She thinks strategically when working on issues within the command, she is open to suggestions and consideration of doing things differently when doing so will improve the department.

Karen has been and inspirational leader with her wealth of knowledge and superior street sense. She provides support and opportunities to help others. She is approachable, accessible and is prepared to give constructive feedback.

Karen has the ability to make people want to work hard and to be proud of their profession. Karen's career was forever changed when she attended the 1988 IAWP Training Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. She was the first woman from the O.P.P. to attend an IAWP conference and she returned completely inspired. Ontario started to join IAWP in record numbers as Karen spread the word about her experiences.

As a result of her exposure to international policing and a need for police women's issues to be heard, she co-founded and chaired the O.P.P. Women's Network from 1992 until 2003 when the Network merged with the Ontario Women in Law Enforcement.

Now I know why Canada has been winning so many awards. They have been mentored by Karen. Her persistence to provide women with opportunities and experiences has been noticed and we now award Staff Sgt. Karen Moffatt with the 2004 Mentoring Award.

Inspector Correa and Militello developed a tactical position and noticed a male come out of his home and enter the truck of the suspected vehicle. Inspector Correa approached the male and started to identify herself when the suspect turned and stabbed her with a large butcher knife in the abdomen. Inspector Militello reached to subdue the suspect but was also stabbed in the upper torso. The suspect then turned and stabbed Inspector Correa a second time in the left side of her torso.

Inspector Militello fell to the ground and broke her right wrist, all the while trying to get her gun. Pat Correa now realized her wounds were severe, struggled to the vehicle to call for assistance, holding her hand tightly to her wounds and saying to herself, "I am not dying today."

Inspector Lea Militello saw the suspect come out of the house with a gun. Inspector Pat Correa got help from a citizen who assisted her to get her gun out and placed her behind the engine block of her car for cover. Then Pat shot twice at the running suspect, all the time her lungs are filling with fluid and it is now very difficult to breathe. The suspect ran back into the house until he was subdued by the SWAT team two hours later.

Pat and Lea were taken to the hospital for surgery. Because of their bravery and determination to live Inspector Pat Correa and Inspector Lee Militello are honored as the IAWP 2004 Medal of Valor Winners.

Lea was not able to attend but Pat accepted the award on her behalf.