Cinnaminson officer Dominic Elly went above and beyond after responding to a call with a young boy who had his cell phone stolen.
The family did not have enough money to replace the phone, so Elly took it upon himself to buy the boy a new one with his own money. The police department recognized that gesture on its social media page, which has garnered close to 500 responses. Committeeman Ernest McGill recognized Elly in his comments at a July meeting.
“What makes this even more unique is that officer Elly did this on his own and did not tell anyone,” McGill recounted. “He did not want any attention for himself, and he did not do it for personal recognition. His kind gesture is the epitome of why people become police officers and what makes the township a great community.”
In other police news, the township’s 2023 Officer of the Year is Robert Young. The award is not bestowed for a singular incident or case, but for overall achievement during the year. One officer can nominate another, and all members then vote, according to a township police social media post.
Young was chosen by his peers for putting a high priority on loyalty and dedication to the police department. He was recently selected to become a field training officer (FTO), a vital role for any law-enforcement agency. FTOs lead, guide, mentor and encourage new officers to perform at their very best.
Young’s peers describe him as “dependable.” He’s typically the first officer to arrive for his shift and often the last to leave. He displays high standards of professional behavior and always strives to improve his performance by seeking educational opportunities, attending various police-related training and actively participating in the agency’s defense tactics training.
Young is well respected among the rank and file and is always willing to assist others or offer a helping hand, according to his award. As one of his peers wrote during nominations, they wished the agency could hire more officers of “officer Young’s caliber.”
