BELMONT — The Irish American Police Officers Association (IAPOA) is pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Department of Correction Employee Assistance Services Unit was honored with the IAPOA Humanitarian Award.
On Oct. 27, members of the IAPOA Executive Board visited the Department of Correction headquarters in Milford to present the award to unit members.
The Employee Assistance Services Unit received more than 10,600 requests for assistance from current and retired DOC employees in 2019. In the time since, the unit has increased assistance to employees who have dealt with the devastating physical and psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has placed unprecedented stress on those in law enforcement and corrections.
“The Department of Correction Employee Assistance Services Unit has been a constant and reliable source of critical support for current and retired correctional officers during this difficult time of unprecedented needs,” said President Sweetland. “The care and support the unit has provided are truly deserving of recognition.”
The IAPOA usually holds an annual awards dinner for all honorees, but has been unable to do so for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year the IAPOA is recognizing honorees by traveling to meet them and present the awards individually. The IAPOA is hopeful it will be able to host an in-person dinner and awards ceremony again next year.
Individuals and organizations can be nominated for awards in six categories:
- Valor
- Lifesaving
- Investigations
- Meritorious Service
- Community Service
- Humanitarian Acts
The IAPOA also recognizes the sacrifice made in line-of-duty deaths with a Medal of Honor presented posthumously to the families of fallen officers.
The IAPOA is a designated 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For further information or to become a member, visit www.irishamericanpolice.org.
From left, Department of Correction Deputy Commissioner Tom Preston, Deputy Commissioner Robert Hughes, IAPOA President Bob Sweetland, DOC Employee Assistance Services Unit Director Denise Vega, IAPOA Sergeant at Arms Paul Westlund, IAPOA Vice President Brett Rand, and DOC Lt. John Haskell at a presentation of the IAPOA Humanitarian Award to the DOC Employee Assistance Services Unit. (Photo Courtesy Irish American Police Officers Association) 
Department of Correction Employee Assistance and Services Unit Director Denise Vega holds the IAPOA Humanitarian Award the unit was presented. (Photo Courtesy Irish American Police Officers Association) 
From left, IAPOA President Bob Sweetland, Department of Correction Employee Assistance and Services Unit Director Denise Vega and DOC Lt. John Haskell stand with the IAPOA Humanitarian Award. They are joined in the photograph by three K-9 members of the unit, Elliott, Mugsy, and Tucker. (Photo Courtesy Irish American Police Officers Association) 
The staff of the Department of Correction Employee Assistance and Services Unit at a presentation of the IAPOA Humanitarian Award to the unit. (Photo Courtesy Irish American Police Officers Association)
Discover more from John Guilfoil Public Relations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.