Oakland Police Chief Darron Esan recognized eight officers in the fourth-quarter Police Department Awards presentation during the Oakland Town Commission meeting Tuesday, Feb. 10.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cpl. Shawn Dozier was named the 2025 Officer of the Year. At the beginning of the year, he was an officer and advanced to a corporal ranking for his efforts serving the town.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe continues to make achievements,\u201d Esan said. \u201cHe continues to make connections in the community, and he continues to grow not only as a police officer but (also) as a first-line supervisor. So I think the awards committee, which I don\u2019t sit on, (made) a unanimous decision that Shawn Dozier be awarded the Officer of the Year for 2025.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dozier, as well as officer Jason Hayes, received the Award of Commendation for their response to a call of a boy who wished to end his life at the hands of an officer. They calmly de-escalated the situation and helped the boy receive the proper mental health care he needed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lt. Rene Castro was awarded the Officer of the Quarter for the fourth quarter for organizing the third annual 5K with the 5-0. He gathered multiple sponsors to generate thousands of dollars for the 5K. Castro also partnered with Clermont Police Department to organize the Shop with a Cop event, providing Christmas to more families in 2025 than ever before.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis nomination falls so short of what he does every day for everybody in this department,\u201d Esan said. \u201cAdministratively, he runs the show from his desk.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Officer David Hall received the Award of Commendation for responding to a case of a missing son and followed up with the boy to check on his well-being. His efforts showcased true \u201ccommunity policing,\u201d Esan said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Officer Brienna Fernandez became a two-time recipient of the Award of Commendation. She helped calm down a hysterical woman who had experienced abuse by gently holding her hand and being a safe space for the woman. Fernandez also responded to a case of a runaway juvenile who is autistic. When she found him, she allowed him to watch \u201cThe Bugs Bunny Show\u201d on her phone to calm him down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All officers who participated in the Shop with a Cop event also were given the Award of Commendation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI could not be more proud in this moment that our police department dealt with these folks with compassion and were able to de-escalate the situation that could have gone in a lot different ways than they did,\u201d Commissioner Kris Keller said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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