DCCCD Police Chief Lauretta Hill (center) receives the 2018 Gary P. Hayes Memorial Award from Chief J. Scott Thomson (left) of the Camden Police Department in New Jersey and president of the PERF board of directors along with Chief Dan Oates (right) of the Miami Beach Police Department, who nominated Hill for the honor.
Contact: Debra Dennis
ddennis@dcccd.edu or 214-378-1851
For immediate release — June 21, 2018
(DALLAS) — During her long career with several police departments, Lauretta Hill, Dallas County Community College District’s police chief, always has placed a high priority on service, safety and transparency.
Last month, the Police Executive Research Forum awarded her with its most coveted prize: the distinguished 2018 Gary P. Hayes Memorial Award. The honor recognizes officers who exemplify dedication, leadership and a high standard of excellence — and this year marks the first time that the award has been given to a four-year college or community college police chief.
“It is an honor to be recognized by your fellow peers in law enforcement,” said Hill, who joined DCCCD in 2016. “Everyone who loves this profession understands the significance of others seeing what you’ve done. They see your passion for the profession and for the progressive part of police work.”
Hill received the honor last month during an annual joint meeting of the Police Executive Research Forum and the Major City Chief Association, which was held in Nashville.
“We are proud of the achievements and work of our police chief, Lauretta Hill, who has consolidated our college police departments into one cohesive, districtwide unit and has implemented a number of other forward-thinking changes. Chief Hill’s work at DCCCD is just part of her distinguished career of service in law enforcement,” said Dr. Joe May, DCCCD’s chancellor. “Chief Hill’s award from the Police Executive Research Forum reflects the caliber of her work and her leadership.”
A native of Dallas, Hill came to DCCCD from the city of Miami Beach, where she served as deputy police chief.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington and Texas Christian University, where she earned her master’s degree, Hill started her law enforcement career in 1994. During her 20 years with the Arlington Police Department, she became the city’s assistant police chief, a first for a black woman. There, she led security operations for Super Bowl XLV in 2011 — the first time the Super Bowl was played in Dallas-Fort Worth — as well as for the 2010 NBA All-Star game.
Hill said she shares the award with every officer with whom she has worked. During her short stint at DCCCD, Hill has reorganized the department, consolidating all seven DCCCD college police departments into one unit.
“I understand people and relationships,” Hill said. “I hope I’ve had an impact every place I’ve gone.”
Other local recipients of the Hayes Award include two other Arlington officers: Theron Bowman, the former police chief who received the award in 2003; and Will Johnson, who currently serves in that capacity and received the award in 2013. In 2006, former Dallas Deputy Chief Floyd Simpson of Dallas was honored.
For more information, contact Debra Dennis in the DCCCD office of public and governmental affairs by phone at 214-378-1851 or by email at
ddennis@dcccd.edu
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