Second District Honors Officers of the Month

Seven police officers from the Second District received award and praise from their commander for jobs well done at a , as Commander Michael Reese and the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) presented certificates to the officers for their hard work.

Second District Truancy Officers Ebony White and Stephen Owens were recognized for bringing in the highest number of truant students in the entire city.

Officer White said they often find truants wandering around Best Buy in Tenleytown, shops in Georgetown or McDonald's in Friendship Heights. She said she knows the repeat offenders and in some cases has their parents' phone numbers memorized. Both officers have established relationships with the deans of local schools and business owners, who call them to let them know when students are out when they should not be.

Officer Florence Spain, who works on "quality of life issues" in Georgetown, has helped reduce panhandling, but was recognized Wednesday for her work as an eye-witness to a robbery. While on her normal duties, she noticed someone suspicious, followed that person and witnessed a robbery. The incident is now a pending case.

"How cool is that?" Reese said.

Reese also asked Lt. Jesse Porter to nominate top performers from his ranks. He selected Officers Miriam Wishnick, LaVinda Ellerbe, Earl Brown and Kate Fitzgerald.

"I've seen them all at the scenes, unannounced, and they are all very professional," Reese said of the four.

The CAC meets monthly at the Second District station (3320 Idaho Ave. NW).