Law Officer presented its first-ever Gold Badge of Service Award to 5.11 Tactical Company. Established this year, the magazine s annual award recognizes a company that best demonstrates a model of commitment and service to the public safety community. Dale Stockton, editor of Law Officer, presented the award to Dan Costa, owner and CEO of the company, and Bill Berry, Executive Director of the 5.11 Challenge, during the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference (IACP) in Boston, Mass.
I've been in police work for more than 30 years, and have interacted with every kind of company and vendor that you can imagine. I've been extremely impressed by the level of commitment to police officers that has been demonstrated by 5.11 during this past year, said Stockton. They model an attitude of service before self, and I'm proud to recognize them with this award.
Each year 5.11 Tactical organizes and produces the 5.11 Challenge, a contest that enables winning officers from around the world to join together and compete in shooting and skills competitions. The event has proven popular among police professionals with more than 22,000 officers entering this year. Winners receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Bighorn River in Montana to compete in the Challenge.
After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Berry and staff members drove to the Gulf Coast to help departments in need. Over the course of ten days they delivered more than $500,000 in tactical equipment and clothing to departments throughout the region.
Stockton commented, What gets recognized often gets repeated by others. I think 5.11 has set the bar pretty high. I hope other companies will take note of their generosity and commitment to serving those who serve.