The Antioch Police Department announced that Robert Green was named their Officer of the Year.
Green has been a police officer for 15-years says it was the first time he won the award and was honored to be nominated.
“I was surprised because there was a lot of good candidates that were nominated,” explained Green. “I was very honored, there are a lot of extraordinary officers within the Antioch Police Department.
Green pointed out that one of the biggest accomplishments as being an officer aside from crime fighting is the humanitarian work within the community.
“I love interacting with the community and doing the humanitarian work we get to do. There are a lot of programs that let us interact with the community from trick or treat with the police to Lego’s with the cops, it shows the community we are humanitarians,” says Green. “I want to be a part of that and continue to do selfless service.”
He highlighted that the biggest “wow factor” for him this past year has been the overwhelming support the community has for Antioch Police officers at a time when the media rhetoric has not been kind to the industry.
“Regardless of negative press, the community is showing us support. I’ve had more support the past few years than we have ever had. The community has come together with us and it feels like a partnership,” said Green.
One of the highlights of this past year for Green occurred recently when his partner, Officer Dan Fachner, recovered a tricycle from a special needs youth.
“The fact that he was so passionate about it, he got others passionate about it,” explained Green. “Deep down inside that is what we do. To come together as a community and make things happen.”
For Green, he credits a lot of his successes to the department as a whole because they all make each other better.
“It’s wonderful to be a part of the Antioch Police Department,” says Green. “Regardless of limited resources, things come up that we don’t have the items we need but we improvise, its unique and we are a top tier law enforcement agency. For being as small as our city is compared to others, we make a lot happen from collective Ingenuity from the people we have.”
He called Chief Tammany Brooks, and Captains Diane Aguinaga and Tony Morefield mentors while credited retired police chief Allan Cantando for hiring him saying once he did a ride along, he knew Antioch was home.
Green admitted he was set to join another department before Cantando recruited him.
“Chief Cantando started the ball rolling for me here while I learned so much from Captain Leonard Orman who was so aggressive in investigations, he showed me how to be unique and gave me a wide perspective of how I should look at it,” explained Green. “Captain Aguinaga is the epitome of being calm under pressure while Morefield came from the military; it was nice to have another military guy because his demeanor instills a lot of respect. I also try to model myself after Sergeant Jimmy Wisecarver who twice has won officer of the year. If you look at leadership, he fits every single quality you could ask for.”
Green explained that firmly believes in owning up to failure, but sharing victories.
“I am very proud that I was given this opportunity, in all honesty, I believe in owning up to failure and share victory, there is a lot of people who helped me get through my career and get where I am at. It’s not all me, I have a great family and great mentors who guided me through my career. If you want to succeed, you have to surround yourself with people who want you to succeed along with themselves,” says Green.
Here is a rundown of the awards:
“Officer” of the Year
- Robert Green
“Civilian Employee” of the Year
- Samantha Peterson
Explorer of the Year
- Hannah McDevitt
Captain Robin Kelly retires. Photo by Antioch Police
Retirements
- Robin Kelley
Medal of Valor
- Tom Smith, Scott Duggar
Officer Tom Smith receiving a Purple Heart. Photo by Antioch Police
Purple Heart
- Tom Smith
Distinguished Service
- Matt Koch
Meritorious Service Awards
- Jonathan Adams
- Frederick Blumberg
- Jacob Ewart
- Randall Gragg,
- Kelly Inabnett
- Amel Sahnic
- Mark Moraga
Commendation
- Anita Soares
Crime Prevention Commission
- Karen Williams
- Audrey Taylor
- Mike Gadams
4 comments
Congratulations Rob, you are a great man and officer. Thank you for your work in Antioch, we appreciate you.
None of them really get enough credit. . .it’s wonderful to see them get some recognition! Go APD!
Congrats! High fives to all!!! When are you going to do something about the crime?
no kidding someone needs to
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