A Suffolk County police officer and detective were honored with the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing for helping improve the department’s relations with the Asian-American community.
Det. Edwin Hugh and Officer Thomas Joy a decade ago helped found the Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society, a police fraternal nonprofit charity organization that is credited with helping double the recruitment numbers for both Asian American and Muslim American officers. For their efforts — which included nearly 100 community events last year — they were awarded during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 4.
“It was an exciting honor to be recognized by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland,” said Hugh, who serves as president of the group. “The most exciting part for us is to be able to represent the best police department in the country and we have to thank the department’s leadership and our community leaders for all their support. Without it, this achievement would not have been possible.”
The Distinguished Service in Community Policing award is given to the officers who dedicate themselves to strengthening trust, magnifying public safety and encouraging community engagement.
“It is not only unexpected but an honor of a lifetime,” added Joy, who is the vice president of the group. “It is a validation of the work that we do and we accept the award not only for ourselves but on behalf of our colleagues in law enforcement on Long Island, our police leadership, our union leaders, our elected leadership and also our community that has shown our local law enforcement so much support and confidence in the work that we do.”
During the ceremony, the Department of Justice said because of Hugh and Joy’s efforts, the Suffolk County Asian-American community “now has a stronger voice in local government, better access to resources and a responsive law enforcement presence to crimes against their community.”
Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Robert Waring said he’s seen those efforts pay off.
He said: “Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus now have a strong relationship with the department leading to a high level of access and confidence and I look forward to continuing to build on that foundation.”
