From the Maryland State Police:
Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Marcus L. Brown has announced the statewide 2011 Trooper of the Year for the Department.
In a ceremony that recognized the local winners from each barrack and division, Colonel Brown congratulated Trooper First Class Michael J. Bonczewski of the Bel Air Barrack as the 2011 Trooper of the Year.
The following narrative describes some of the work TFC Bonczewski performed during 2011 which led to his award:
TROOPER FIRST CLASS MICHAEL J. BONCZEWSKI
BEL AIR BARRACK
During 2011, TFC Bonczewski continued the record of outstanding performance as a state trooper he began only four years ago when he joined the Maryland State Police. “Impressive, incredible and impeccable” are just three of the terms used by his supervisors to describe him. He led the barrack, or was second, in nearly every performance category. In some categories, his performance exceeded entire Bel Air Barrack work group performances. He was the top producer at the barrack for seven months of 2011.
TFC Bonczewski made 2,585 traffic stops and issued more than 2,700 citations and almost 1,800 warnings. He issued more traffic citations than any other trooper in the Maryland State Police. He led the barrack in DUI arrests with 46 and was second in drug arrests with 23. He led the barrack in overall criminal arrests with 41 and was second in warrant arrests with 26. He led the barrack with 50 criminal investigations.
According to supervisors, TFC Bonczewski often worked past normally assigned shifts to ensure all his duties were completed. He often volunteered to work beyond his tour of duty to support barrack manpower needs. His uniform, equipment and attitude are always impeccable. He serves as a field training trooper and those he trains turn out to be top performers as well. He was chosen last year to serve on the Harford County Traffic Task Force, which has already impacted traffic safety in the county, thanks in no small part to the efforts of TFC Bonczewski.
When he was dispatched to an assault call in Edgewood last year, TFC Bonczewski employed his exceptional investigative intuition. While interviewing the suspect of an assault in a domestic violence case, he saw numerous gang tattoos. He developed a rapport with the man who eventually provided a wealth of information involving gang related crimes and member identifications. He also provided the only known copy of the “Blood Bible,” in the region. This is an extremely valuable aid for gang investigators working the Bloods gang in Maryland.
Another call involved a prescription fraud at an Abingdon pharmacy. The diligent investigation of TFC Bonczewski led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of hundreds of prescription medications.
He also recovered numerous fraudulent prescription slips and computer equipment used to make fake prescriptions and military documents. His investigation ultimately closed a tri-state crime spree involving forged prescriptions and a lucrative narcotics ring. The suspect he arrested was estimated to have passed over 5,000 illegal prescriptions.
In the words of his supervisor, Cpl. Ray Domico, “Trooper First Class Bonczewski’s ability and performance as a Maryland state trooper can be summed up as extraordinary. His overwhelming dedication, work ethic, and acts of self-sacrifice are the ultimate model that other Department and allied agency personnel should emulate. His level of performance and service has unquestionably made Harford County and our state a safer place to live.”
During his short career, TFC Bonczewski has accumulated an impressive list of awards. He was Trooper of the Year at the La Plata Barrack in 2009. That same year he was Trooper of the Year for the Southern Region. In 2010, he won Trooper of the Year for the Bel Air Barrack and won the same award that year for the Northern Region. He was the State Police recipient of the International Association of Chiefs of Police “Trooper of the Year” Award for 2010. He won the 2011 American Legion Officer of the Year.
“He was the top producer at the barrack for seven months of 2011.”
What we see in terms of public safety, the MSP sees in terms of sales. Nice.
Trooper Bonczewski is an asset to our county and state. The men and women of MSP put their lives on the line every day to protect us,and they deserve recognition. From the list of accomplishments how anyone can say MSP sees sales. To me they are acknowledging superiority, and dedication to ones job.
For sure they deserve recognition. Its just that “producer” is a word you hear thrown around by salespeople (real estate agents, insurance agents etc.) who bring in revenue. Considering his list of accomplishments is impressive, you wonder why his number of traffic stops and tickets shows up at the top of the list.
and he’s polish… 😉 alright!
Top producer = most tickets and revenue. How about The Daggers staff start reporting on real news? What about the near fatal accident on Grier nursery road the other day or the Break in @ Jarrettsville pharmacy this morning? YOU KNOW THE ONE RIGHT NEXT TO THE SHERIFFS OFFICE???????????
Hey Ronnie maybe you and Archie should go take care of the crime in the county since you two have it all figured out. Dont be an Ass…
What does being next to the precinct have to do with anything? How much time do you think deputies spend sitting around the precinct waiting for the next call? They aren’t firefighters and paramedics…
If they are doing their job, then they are not sitting around! Many firefighters are sitting around and waiting for the next call as well. Those are the perks of their jobs, but they all work hard each and everyday. We need to appreciate these people and stop looking for negative, incorrect information!
ROLAND you mean the one where they caught the guy inside and were able to arrest him on scene. Take my advice you should definitely eat your gun.
What an amazing accomplishment! Thank you for working hard and risking your life everyday to make our state a safer place. Shame on those who do not respect what you do.
Like other commenters, I also find it intersting that traffic production was the highlight here. The State Police in this county appears to be focusing more on traffic then on criminal efforts if you have followed the news over the past 4-5 years. I think its great this trooper was recognized for his efforts but what has the State Police come to that the most they can highlight is a gang member was identified and prescription fraud makes tops in the state. Forty arrests doesn’t seemed like very much for an entire year. This is a far cry from the State Police I remember that ruled this county in the 80’s and 90’s. Nevertheless, glad this young man is out on the roads, hopefully slowing people down.
WOW! What do you do for a living? Have you ever heard the phrase, “those that cannot, just complain about what other people do”
Instead of complaining about others, tell me how you put your life on the line day! Grow Up! Appreciate the police,and fireman who put their life on the line every day.
Reggie did you even read the article?? This Trooper made alot more then 40 arrest by my count it was 136 arrest. And I think what he was able to do this year was amazing. Where did you read that he was able to identify one gang member? That was not what the write up said. If you think you can do a better job then sign your name on the dotted line MSP is hiring! There is no need to be a computer tough guy.
A quick lesson in Policing 101 for the uneducated: Almost all crime involves a vehicle in some way. Traffic enforcement isn’t just about tickets. It often leads to arrests of more serious offenses such as DUI, Theft, Burglary, Assault, ect. The high visibility of traffic enforcement can also be a deterrent to criminals because it shows the police presence in the area. Lets not give the police a hard time because you probably got a ticket one time and actually look at the big picture.