Folsom officer’s nomination earns Traffic Bureau Patriotic Employer Award for support during military service
The Folsom Police Department has been recognized by a Department of Defense program for its support of an officer who balances his local law enforcement duties with service in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.
The department recently received the Patriotic Employer Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, commonly known as ESGR. The award recognizes employers that provide exceptional support to employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve components of the U.S. military.
The recognition came after Folsom Police Officer Mike Austin, a member of the department’s Traffic Bureau and a Coast Guard reservist, nominated the department for the honor.
Austin’s military responsibilities can take him away from Folsom for weeks at a time. During those periods, fellow members of the Traffic Bureau take on additional responsibilities to cover his duties while he fulfills his military obligations.
“As a citizen soldier, Officer Austin is often away for weeks at a time to serve our country, and during those periods, our Traffic team steps up without hesitation to support his duties and keep our community safe,” the Folsom Police Department said in announcing the recognition.
The award was presented to Sgt. Paul Rice and the Traffic Bureau in recognition of their support for Austin and his continuing military service.
ESGR is a Department of Defense program that works to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component service members and their civilian employers. The organization recognizes employers that support Guard and Reserve members as they balance civilian careers with military obligations.
The Patriotic Employer Award is generally initiated through a nomination from a Guard or Reserve service member and recognizes supervisors and employers for support that can include accommodating military schedules, deployments, training obligations and other responsibilities associated with military service.
For the Folsom Police Department, the recognition highlights a situation that can largely take place outside the public eye. When Austin leaves for Coast Guard Reserve service, his responsibilities as a Folsom police officer do not disappear. Instead, members of his bureau work to cover those assignments while he is away.
The department credited Rice and the Traffic Bureau for providing that support and allowing Austin to continue serving both the Folsom community and the country.
“We are grateful for Officer Austin’s service, both in uniform for our nation and here in Folsom,” the department said. “His nomination means a great deal to us, and we’re honored to stand alongside him.”
The department also thanked Austin for nominating his colleagues and ESGR for recognizing their efforts.
“Thank you, Officer Austin, for your dedication, and thank you to ESGR for recognizing our team’s commitment,” the department said.
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