From left: Dannon Dallmann, Officer Sean Yap, Chief Troy Lane, Corporal Dan Villeneuve and Sergeant Lindsey Miller
The UT Police Department recognized employees for outstanding performance and service to the university and the community today during its annual awards ceremony.
The employees honored were nominated by their peers. They are:
Corporal Dan Villeneuve—Officer of the Year. Villeneuve not only does his job well but is quick to volunteer for additional training and responsibilities. “Dan is also compassionate and kind when dealing with those in mental health crises,” one nominator wrote. His ability to relate to people has encouraged many to seek the help they need. As a field training officer—a senior officer who helps train new officers—he is rigorous in his training and challenges new officers. “He never misses an opportunity to make sure his trainees experience a multitude of calls to build on their knowledge base,” a nominator wrote.
Dannon Dallmann—Noncommissioned Employee of the Year. Dallmann went from communications officer to administrative specialist over records in November 2017. She has reviewed processes and found ways the department can be more resourceful. “Dannon brainstorms on her own other possible efficiencies, then conducts and presents research to support her various ideas,” one nominator wrote. She has discovered and corrected errors in department databases and created procedures such as a new expungement process that has reduced the time needed to expunge information in case records. She also has eliminated the need for unnecessary multiple printed copies of items such as traffic citations.
Officer Sean Yap—Community Service Award. Yap joined UTPD in January after serving many years in law enforcement in Florida. He has volunteered his time and abilities numerous times as a teacher in the Rape Aggression Defense course and as a speaker in many programs with UTPD’s Community Relations Unit. “Officer Yap’s dedication to teaching these programs and his dedication to improving the safety of students and staff members are a testament to his skills as a teacher and as a police officer,” his nominator wrote.
Sergeant Lindsey Miller Gardner—Supervisor of the Year. Gardner became supervisor over UTPD’s Community Relations Unit this year. In that role, she and her employees have revamped several community-oriented programs and created new ones, such as Social Media Safety, that provide online safety tips. Gardner serves as UTPD’s Rape Aggression Defense coordinator and lead instructor, and is lead instructor on other community outreach trainings. As a supervisor, she constantly helps members of her unit develop their talents and knowledge in a way that positions them for future promotion, one nominator wrote. “She has found classes for me to attend and even communicated with the training supervisor to make sure it happens,” said the nominator.
Julie Small—UTPD Partner of the Year. Small is a technical services unit supervisor for the Knoxville Police Department. She was instrumental in helping UTPD update its entire radio system in preparation for the move to the new Knox County–wide digital system. The system allows the department to communicate with law enforcement and emergency personnel partners around the county. “She’s given so much of her time to help us catch up, and she has asked for nothing in return,” her nominator wrote. “No one involved in this process over the last few long months believes we would be anywhere near where we are without her assistance.”
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CONTACT:
Lola Alapo (865-974-1094, lalapo@utk.edu)