Radford University recognizes local law enforcement with Excellence in Policing Award

Chief Scott C. Booth of the Danville Police Department is the Radford University Center for Police Practice, Policy and Research’s 2020 Excellence in Policing award recipient. The annual award is given to a current sworn police officer, supervisor, commander or executive who is a leader in his or her agency and has been a champion for implementing innovative strategies that bring about change and improve policing.

On Monday, November 16, co-directors of the center, Roberto Santos, Ph.D. and Rachel Santos, Ph.D., faculty in the department of criminal justice at Radford University, presented the award to Booth and his department in front of local and regional leaders.

The Danville Police Department has implemented a stratified policing approach to reduce one of the highest violent crime rates in Virginia. Through Booth’s leadership, the City of Danville saw significant reductions in both property and violent crime rates. Booth credits implementing proactive crime reduction along with systematic community engagement activities for the decline in crime, while at the same time improving the department’s relationship with Danville’s citizens. 

“Chief Booth is an exceptional police leader who has been able to guide his agency to successfully integrate crime reduction and build trust with the community. It is leaders like Chief Booth who will advance policing to be more effective in the future,” said Roberto Santos. 

Looking to the future, DPD plans to continue its proactive crime reduction efforts, which include a project to prevent the escalation of domestic violence and increase victim safety through an innovative, proactive approach. This plan will serve in conjunction with a recent federal grant from the Community Policing Development Program.

“With this award, we really wanted to recognize Chief Booth for his strong and effective leadership, as well as the Danville Police Department, which has become a premier police agency in Virginia and in the United States,” said Rachel Santos. 

Radford University’s Center for Police Practice, Policy and Research blends evidence-based and practice-based research to inform best methods in crime prevention and police practices. 

For more information on the center and past award recipients, visit www.radford.edu.