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'I just work hard,' says top officer
By MONIQUE FIELDS, Times Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG -- A modest crime prevention specialist whose work comes behind the scenes accepted the prestigious Police Officer of the Year Award Thursday at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. William "Chip" Wells, an 18-year veteran of the St. Petersburg Police Department, was surprised when he learned he had earned the honor earlier this month. "I don't feel like I do anything that outstanding," he said shortly before accepting the award. "I just work as hard as I can." Department higher-ups certainly noticed when he coordinated a National Night Out, a citywide crime watch event in 2002. They also paid attention when he gathered information for a flier on "Terrorism and Handling Mail Safely" and distributed it to businesses and city offices in the days immediately following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Wells, 42, said he enjoys his job as crime prevention officer so much he has branched out to teaching about crime at the Regional Community Policing Institute at St. Petersburg College and also teaches terrorism awareness classes at SPC. When prodded, Wells admitted he is most proud about volunteering to become the department's Web master and transforming its Web site from offering only recruitment information into a full-service stop for citizens who want to learn about the department, its community officers and news releases. "The more educated people are, the better they can prepare and ensure their own safety," Wells said. In the past, those who work in homicide, narcotics or patrol units have received the Officer of the Year Award. Wells received the award, sponsored by the St. Petersburg Exchange Club and the Charles and Odette W. Patterson Trust, for a wealth of work he does behind the scenes -- from working as an alternate public information officer to acting supervisor. "He is the type of individual that when you have a project, he'll volunteer for it," said Bill Doniel, Wells' immediate supervisor and division manager of community awareness. Before accepting the award, Wells said he sometimes works on the Web page in his spare time and has accumulated about 10 weeks of vacation. His idea of taking time for himself amounts to taking off on a Monday or Friday, he said. Barbara Magada, for one, wasn't surprised by his dedication. She recalled when he helped Mobel Americana, a mobile home park at 7201 First St. NE, combat a rash of break-ins. At Wells' suggestion, residents started a crime patrol and shooed away teenagers from their homes at all hours of the night. Soon, the problem was resolved. "He deserved (the award) a long time ago," said Magada, coordinator of the crime prevention program at Mobel Americana. "He has worked so hard on every project he gets."
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