Silva Named 2009 Officer of the Year

The Maui Police Department’s Sergeant David Silva is being honored as the recipient of the Officer of the Year Award from the 2009 Hawaii State Law Enforcement Officers Association.  Sergeant Silva will be honored at HSLEOA Conference banquet which will be held next Friday evening, September 25, 2009, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Kapalua.

Sgt. David Silva. Courtesy Photo, Maui Police Department.

Sergeant David J. Silva is a 21-year veteran of the Maui Police Department.  He has been assigned to the districts of Wailuku, Hana, Lahaina, Molokai, and Kihei.  He also served in the Communications Section, Internal Affairs, Criminal Investigation, and is currently with the Juvenile Crime Prevention Division.

In his current assignment, Silva’s supervisors said, “Silva always strives to make a difference, accepts challenges, and fights and prevents crime with a vengeance.  He is a true professional that repeatedly sets a fine example for his men and women to follow.  He has effectively managed his personnel to the point that they were even selected by the Maui News to receive the prestigious recognition as the People Who Made A Difference in 2008.”

Supervisors provided further comments and accolades saying, “Sergeant Silva never hesitates to take on a case assignment to assist his team of busy investigators.  As recently as March 2009, Sergeant Silva led and solved a robbery case involving three juveniles who assaulted a male using the ATM machine.  As a result of his tenacity and diligent investigation, he tracked down and arrested two 16-year-old juveniles.  Through his efforts, a third juvenile was also identified.”

In 2008, Sgt. Silva’s team of investigators made more than 88 arrests for prohibitions involving underage drinking.  The team also received the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Law Enforcement Award in both 2007 and 2008 for their work to prevent underage drinking.

Silva also worked to curb truancies and curfew violations.  In 2008, there were 322 arrests for Compulsory School Attendance, and 62 arrests for curfew violations.  Silva also carried out a special operation which involved the arrest of a juvenile selling drugs in a high school parking lot.

In addition to his regular assignment, Silva is also trained as a Crisis Negotiator, a Mobile Command Vehicle Operator, and a recruit class instructor.  His involvement in the community includes work as a coach for flag football at Maui Waena Intermediate School and a volunteer at St. Anthony.

(Posted by Wendy Osher.  The above comments are from a Conference book excerpt; The comments and accolades were from his supervisors in writing him up for the award.)