Two officers from the Benton Police Department were recently recognized at the 11th Annual DWI & Occupant Protection (Seat Belt) Awards Banquet in Little Rock.  The two officers were Officer Steven Beck and Office Bobby Shell. 

    Officer Beck’s dedication to the S.T.E.P. (Selective Traffic Enforcement Program) DWI program makes him an asset to the Benton Police Department and the citizen’s of Benton.  During 2010 Officer Beck worked 156.5 hours of STEP enforcement, which is part of a grant the Benton Police Department acquired.  During this time frame he helped keep our streets safer by arresting 22 intoxicated drivers. 

    This is Officer Shell’s ninth consecutive year to be recognized as the leading officer at the Benton Police Department for his involvement in the STEP Grant Program in the area of Seat Belt and Child Safety Seat Enforcement.  During the past year, Officer Shell wrote 99 seat belt violation citations and 6 child safety restraint violations. 

    The DWI and Occupant Protection Enforcement Awards Ceremony is hosted by the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office, the Criminal Justice Institute, and the Arkansas Prosecutor Coordinator’s Office.  Their mission is to assemble law enforcement officers from around the state once a year to recognize their dedication and commitment to important highway safety issues.  Their efforts have made a significant impact regarding highway safety and saving lives. 

    The STEP Grant Program the Benton Police Department participates in is funded through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  These projects provide law enforcement agencies additional funds to pay officers that are involved in and committed to DWI and seat belt/child safety seat enforcement objectives.