The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) recognized the dedication and effectiveness of 33 state and local law enforcement agencies at the 26th annual Governor’s Challenge Awards on Friday, held at the Macon Centreplex. Among those honored for their commitment to saving lives on Georgia’s roads were several agencies from Northwest Georgia.

The prestigious awards ceremony celebrated agencies for their exemplary work in traffic enforcement and highway safety initiatives. GOHS presented Agency of the Year awards across nine distinct categories, factoring in agency size, performance within GOHS Traffic Enforcement Networks and Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic (H.E.A.T.) teams, as well as recognizing outstanding Network Coordinators and Assistant Coordinators.

Northwest Georgia saw significant recognition in several categories. The Rome Police Department secured the first-place award in Category Five, an honor for departments employing 76 to 100 officers. Hot on their heels, the Floyd County Police Department earned second place in the same competitive category. Further bolstering the region’s achievements, the Calhoun Police Department was awarded first place in Category Three, which encompasses agencies with 26 to 45 officers.

Beyond overarching agency awards, specific achievements in ten safety categories were also highlighted. The Rome Police Department was specifically lauded as the top agency for Child Passenger Safety. Demonstrating a commitment to curbing dangerous driving, the Calhoun Police Department received recognition for their exceptional efforts in speed enforcement.

The Governor’s Challenge program is designed to acknowledge law enforcement agencies that go above and beyond in their mission to prevent crashes, injuries, and fatalities within their communities, college campuses, and military installations. The awards evaluate not only enforcement strategies but also innovative problem-solving, public awareness campaigns, and departmental policies that actively support traffic safety efforts. This year’s honorees were selected from 65 applications, meticulously reviewed by highway safety experts from Tennessee and Florida.

Allen Poole, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, emphasized the critical role of enforcement, stating, “Crash data shows enforcement of traffic laws is one of the most effective ways to save lives on our roads, and today we wanted to say thanks to the men and women in Georgia law enforcement for the lives they save every day.” He added, “State and local law enforcement officers also work every day to prevent crashes through educational programs and initiatives with the goal to reduce the number of crashes on our roads.”

Roger Hayes, GOHS Law Enforcement Services Director, echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the often-unseen impact of their work. “These men and women will never know how many lives they save at the end of the day, but we know they are making a difference in reducing the number of crashes on our roads each year,” Hayes remarked. He concluded with a direct appeal to the public, urging them to partner with law enforcement by obeying all traffic safety laws, consistently wearing seat belts, and ensuring all children under eight are properly secured in appropriate child safety seats.