Arlington has one of the best re-integration programs in the state for military service men and women, according to the Department of Defense.
This week, several police officers agreed with this sentiment, thanking the City of Arlington and the Arlington Police Department for the financial and emotional support they receive as members actively serving their country in the United States Armed Forces.
On March 28, Arlington police officials traveled to Austin to accept the Pro Patria Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The ESGR, a Department of Defense office, selected its finalists from more than 2,900 nominations.
According to the ESGR, award recipients have demonstrated the greatest support for guard and reserve employees through their leadership and practices, including adopting personnel policies that make it easier for employees to participate in the National Guard and Reserves.
During a media event on Wednesday at the Main Station, several officers spoke candidly about their transition from military life to their policing roles upon returning home.
Lt. Jeff Pugh said deployment is a major event in the lives of military families. The Department of Defense estimates some 200,000 military personnel, including reserve and National Guard members, are currently on deployment in Iraq or Afghanistan.
"The City of Arlington and the Arlington Police Department go above and beyond what is required by federal standards," said Lt. Pugh, who has been deployed three times to Iraq as a member of the United States Army. "The support given to employees and their family members is fantastic."
Lt. Pugh said the support starts with Arlington city leaders and permeates throughout the organization.
"The Arlington Police Department has been very proactive in serving the needs of its employees as well as the military veterans residing in our communities," he said.
Lt. Kelly Velder returned home in January 2015 from a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia. During deployment, he described how Arlington officers conducted close patrols of his home when they learned his daughter was afraid and the family was not sleeping well at night.
"My daughter saw the Arlington police cars and she felt safer," said, Lt. Velder, a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves. "Officers let her know that everything was okay."
APD is now one of 30 finalists for the 2015 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest award presented by the ESGR.
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