WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) has announced the selection of Patrolman Christopher Jenkins of the Irvington (NJ) Police Department as its Officer of the Month for July 2006.
At an early age, Chris Jenkins knew he wanted to make a positive difference in his community. Prior to joining the police department in 2001, he was a court appointed Case Advocate investigating allegations of child neglect and then for three years served as a Prevention Intervention Education counselor warning teens about the dangers and consequences of using illegal substances. Since joining the Irvington Police Department he has consistently demonstrated himself as a truly heroic and dedicated officer. His investigative skills and selflessness have saved not only millions of dollars in fraud and copyright infringements, but also human lives.
On November 29, 2002 Officer Jenkins responded to two different calls at a local motel. At first glance, the first incident appeared to be that of an armed robbery; however, Officer Jenkins' investigation revealed that the incident was actually a botched drug deal. Returning to the location for the second call, a report of a man with a gun, Officer Jenkins learned that the suspect was in a room of the motel. He and his fellow officers, initiating proper investigative techniques, were able to develop the requisite probable cause resulting in an arrest and the seizure of controlled substance(s). Together these two assignments resulted in the arrest of five suspects, the recovery of a stolen vehicle and confiscation of drugs with a street value of more than $3,000.
On the afternoon of December 3, 2003, Officer Jenkins along with other officers from the Essex County Sheriff's Office and the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), responded to a call of a car-jacked vehicle having been sighted. As police cruisers, with lights and sirens activated, approached from both the front and rear of the vehicle, the driver of the car-jacked automobile rammed the NJSP unit. In an attempt to flee, the suspect struck several motor vehicles, causing injury to many civilians in the area.
Recklessly driving down the road, the suspect swiped several vehicles before ramming an automobile driven by an elderly woman, pinning her inside. Although a NJSP vehicle was positioned in such a way as to block the suspect, he continued to ram the car-jacked vehicle into the elderly woman's vehicle and the state police cruiser. As officers jumped on the roof of the car and broke through the sunroof, Officer Jenkins was able to position himself between the elderly woman's vehicle and the car-jacked vehicle. With only seconds before the victim's car would be rammed again, Officer Jenkins entered the woman's car and was able to remove her to safety.
The suspect continued ramming the vehicle even after repeated oral commands for him to stop and exit the vehicle. Fearing for his own safety, as well as that of the civilians on the scene, an officer from the Essex County Sheriff's Office was forced to fire at the suspect, while Officer Jenkins shielded the elderly woman with his body. Thankfully, none of the officers or civilians were seriously injured and the suspect recovered from his wounds. For their heroic actions and placing themselves in harm's way, all four officers received the Two Hundred Club of Essex County's 2003 Valor Award.
From July through December of 2005, Officer Jenkins was assigned to the North Anti-Crime Partnership Region- Vice and Ordinance Squad #1, the primary function of which is to investigate crimes pertaining to pirated CD's, DVD's, untaxed cigarettes, counterfeit United States currency, Alcohol Beverage Control violations and prostitution. Working in collaboration with the New Jersey State Police, the New Jersey Division of Treasury and Taxation and other local departments, this squad, during those six months, effected more than 110 arrests, impounded 20 vehicles, and recovered 6 stolen vehicles and 15 guns.
In addition, $38,763 in US currency was recovered, as well as untaxed cigarettes valued at approximately $32,465. Confiscated pirated CD's and DVD's valued at approximately $340,000 and $160,800.00 in counterfeit bills were also seized.
In nominating Officer Jenkins for this award, his supervisor, Detective Sergeant John Day, stated, "Jenkins consistently displays job knowledge and expertise in the field of street level criminal investigations. He has proven this by initiating more than 50 street level investigations that have resulted in the arrest of numerous individuals."
Officer Jenkins is the recipient of the New Jersey State PBA Heroism Award for 2002, 2003 and 2004. Officer Jenkins is married and the proud father of two. He is an active member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and the New Jersey Police Benevolent Association, Local 29.
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Officer of the Month
PATROLMAN CHRISTOPHER JENKINS