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Akron police sergeant honored as “Officer of the Year”
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: June 29, 2015
It’s not uncommon for a police officer to write a traffic ticket or make an arrest, but when an officer helps to pass new stricter animal abuse laws, people are bound to take notice.
That’s exactly what happened to Akron Police Sergeant Kris Beitzel, who was honored on June 2 as Optimist Club Philip G. Barnes “Officer of the Year” at the Optimist International luncheon at the New Era Restaurant in Akron.
Established in 1986 by the Akron Optimist Club in honor of former Chief of Police Philip G. Barnes, the annual award is given to an officer “in recognition of outstanding service to the community.”
Beitzel was nominated for the award by her supervisor Captain Sylvia Trundle.
“I have been Kris’ captain for several years now,” said Trundle. “I’ve always admired her work and how she goes about it,” said Trundle. “But recently Kris came to me and said she loved what she did but wanted to find a passion.
“It did not take long for her to realize that it would be dealing with animals. She started working with the Humane Society to educate the community about animal cruelty, while enlisting the city council to increase the penalties for those who violate the rules.”
“Being a police officer is so much more than what is portrayed on television,” said Beitzel, who joined the Akron Police Department in 1994. “There are so many everyday challenges that can help you improve the lives of those in the community.”
While Beitzel has remained in the patrol division throughout her career, she has handled a number of temporary assignments in the community relations, background (investigates potential new hires), vice and domestic response units as well as liaison/commander for the annual Greater Cleveland Police Scholarship Fund and the Police Memorial Motorcycle Rally.
In 2011, Beitzel was named “Top Cop” by the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.
“My favorite part of the job is patrol,” said Beitzel, who has been a patrol supervisor since 2001. “I love the hands-on work you get to do on the street. I enjoy being a patrol supervisor and the responsibility that I have for the guys who I’m supervising.”
Although she stands at 5-foot-1 and is the only female patrol sergeant in the department, she said she has never received anything but cooperation. “I think that everyone understands I have their best interests at heart.
“Doing the job that I do for so long and seeing the choices that people make and the part that they play in their own destiny has increased my compassion for those most vulnerable like children and the elderly as well as our four-legged friends who have no say so over what happens to them.”
In fact, the Akron native and her husband, retired Akron Police Sgt. Fred Beitzel, have four rescue dogs, Daphne, Eddie, Darcy and Ben. Beitzel also has a 23-year-old daughter, Bryanna, from a previous marriage and is the stepmother of her husband’s two adult children, Amy and Eric.
Beitzel said her efforts to make Akron’s animal cruelty laws tougher began in the winter. She said she enlisted help from then Council President Garry Moneypenny.
“He walked me through the process and told me whom to contact,” she said.
The Akron City Council passed the legislation on April 6.
Among other things, it prohibits owners from tying up their pets for more than six hours in a 24-hour period or for more than three consecutive hours with less than a one-hour break between the tetherings. In addition, pets cannot be tied up between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., must be brought inside in the event of a heat/cold advisory or severe weather warning and the chain must be at least five times the length of the animal’s body.
First-time penalties for neglect were increased from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. However, Beitzel said most first offenders do not see any jail time. New requirements were also instituted for outdoor shelters in order to keep pets comfortable and safe.
“We have already managed to save a few lives as a result of the new tougher laws,” said Beitzel.
“I am very proud of her,” said Fred, Beitzel’s husband. “She has been in uniform and on the street her entire career.
“She is an awesome officer who is widely respected, but when she became a spokesperson for the tethering ordinance she saw it through to the end.
“She is training the other officers on how it works and has been contacted by other jurisdictions that are interested in learning about it.”
In addition to receiving the “Officer of the Year” award, then Mayor Garry Moneypenny proclaimed June 2, 2015, Sergeant Kris Beitzel day, presenting her with a copy of the framed proclamation.
“I honestly feel kind of taken aback by all the recognition I received because I'm a ‘behind the scenes’ kind of person and not really comfortable with the spotlight,” said Beitzel. “The previous law was woefully inadequate and coincidentally is the same law the state of Ohio still uses.
“I could not just let it go when I knew it was within my power to start the process of change. I did have a lot of help and a ton of support. It’s amazing what a person can accomplish when they believe it’s possible.”
With her recent victory under her belt, Beitzel, 48, continues to look toward the future. She runs three to four miles a day to keep in shape and is preparing to compete in several races this summer.
“Kris inspired me to start running again,” said Trundle. “Last year we both ran the half marathon. She has such a positive healthy outlook about her job and how the department conducts its business.”
Beitzel is less than five years away from retirement and is currently preparing to take the lieutenant’s test.
“I am hoping to move up,” said Beitzel. “If I can’t do that I will just continue working to make a difference in the lives of the people I supervise and the residents.”