2004 Top Troop

Troop G is named Top Troop in the 2004 Law Enforcement Troop Challenge

Each year, Buckle Up Florida names one FHP troop as Top Troop in the annual Law Enforcement Troop Challenge competition. This year’s winner for the third time in four years is Troop G. This award is significant because it honors the accomplishments of the men and women who serve the nine counties in Northeast Florida: Nassau, Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, Bradford, Baker, and Union. Excellent work Troop G!

FHP’s ten troops are invited to participate in the annual contest in which they are judged by an independent panel of national traffic safety experts on five criteria: policy, training, public information, enforcement, and effectiveness. The emphasis of judging is speed, DUI, and occupant restraint programs. This year, Troop G came out on top in the areas of seatbelt and speed enforcement.

Troop G’s notable programs include their successful Occupant Protection and Child Passenger Safety program, administered by Trooper Dawn Tomlinson, and the troop’s participation in the following: Operation Tailgate, Operation Hardhat, and Battle of the Belts. Troop G’s public education and enforcement campaigns made a difference in saving lives as well. The percentage of no seatbelt use in fatalities was down in Nassau, Duval, Clay, Flagler, and Putnam Counties. The Battle of the Belts competition, which involves high schools in Nassau County, showed an increase of over 50% seatbelt use among high school student drivers during the specific time period of the event. Also, the total percentage of speed-related fatalities was down for the troop’s geographic area. In addition, the total number of alcohol-related fatalities was down in Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Union, Flagler, and Putnam Counties.

Congratulations to all the men and women in Troop G for all their hard work and for winning these prestigious awards!