Featured photo, from left: Becky Putzke, MN Dept Public Safety NW MN Toward Zero Deaths Coordinator; Officer Jeff Amey; Mike Hanson, Director MN Dept Public Safety-Office of Traffic Safety. Submitted.
Two Bemidji Police Officers were recognized with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s “Hat Trick” awards for their work in DWI enforcement.
Officer Jeff Amey received the recognition for making three DWI arrests in one day in Feb. 2020.
This is Amey’s second recent “Hat Trick” award, first receiving it last November.
Officer Josh Wicker earned two “Hat Trick” awards for his DWI arrests on Dec. 11 and on Jan. 30. Wicker also received an earlier award last November.
From left: Becky Putzke, Officer Josh Wicker, Director Mike Hanson. Submitted.
Bemidji Police Chief Mike Mastin says of the 11,000 licensed peace officers in the state, only 200 achieve the DWI “Hat Trick” in their career.
Officer Amey and Officer Bidal Duran have been named 2020 MN DPS/OTS DWI-All Star performers.
Officer Amey has been nominated as a Mother’s Against Drunk Driving Gold Medallion enforcer for making over 130 DWI arrests in 2020.
Officer Wicker has been nominated as a Silver Medallion enforcer while Officer Duran and Officer Tim Korinta have both been nominated as Bronze Medallion enforcers with 77, 29 and 26 arrests, respectively.
