Southern Polytechnic State University's Sergeant Steven Douglas Bennett was recently recognized at the 2001 Cobb Chamber of Commerce's Public Safety Recognition Awards Breakfast.

Held at the Cobb Galleria Centre, the ceremony recognized Cobb County individuals and innovative programs in public safety. U.S. Rep Bob Barr, Smyrna, delivered the keynote address and presented the awards. Bennett was one of 15 nominees for the Public Safety Employee of the Year Award, selected from Cobb County public safety agencies such as police, fire, sheriff's office, campus police and state patrol. Bennett received a plaque at the breakfast. Lt. Chris Sobieski of Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services won this year's award.

The event kicked off the third annual Cobb Chamber of Commerce's Public Safety Appreciation Week Oct. 1 - 7.

Bennett, a Southern Polytechnic senior majoring in electrical and computer engineering technology, was recently named the SPSU Police Officer of the Year. He is the coordinator of the university's School Traffic Enforcement Patrol (STEP) Unit, which promotes safe driving on and off campus. He has been a full-time police officer at SPSU since the summer of 2000.

Bennett was nominated for the Public Safety Employee of the Year Award by his supervisor, SPSU's Captain John Bauer, who calls Bennett "the standard by which I evaluate other officers."

"It is a great honor to be recognized at this ceremony and to be in the company of all the other officers," said Bennett. "My line of work is very rewarding to me and keeps me motivated to remain in law enforcement."