“It’s a prestigious award and that tells you how much Paul’s superiors think of him, nominating him three times,” Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik said of Crozier, shown here with his K-9 partner Ajax.
It’s a three-peat for police officer Paul Crozier.
He was named the 2023 police officer of the year in the township for his proven “consistent and constant valor.”
“It’s a prestigious award, and that tells you how much Paul’s superiors think of him, nominating him three times,” Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik said.
Crozier, a 10-year veteran of the force, and his K-9 partner Ajax stood before the chief and fellow officers as he received the award during a township council meeting on Jan. 17. He was nominated by sergeants Josh Hitzelberger and Tobias Haley.
“In the nomination letter, his sergeants noted that Paul brings a professional and positive attitude to work on a daily basis,” Gurcsik noted. “Paul has an invaluable knowledge base for police work: He’s a field training officer, mentors young officers, embodies the community caretaking mission. And his approach to the job motivates others.”
Crozier was involved in several incidents over the last year that contributed to his being given the award, said Gurcsik.
“Paul and his K-9 partner assisted with numerous drug arrests, a few incidents involving firearms and the arrest of a suspect at 3 o’clock in the morning at a nail salon,” he explained.
“Officer Crozier carries himself humbly and goes about his job not for recognition or glory, but for the good of the residents he serves,” the chief added. “Paul received 11 recognition letters from supervisors in 2023 demonstrating high performance.
“Paul makes our agency proud.”
