Letter of Commendation for 15th District Officers

Dear Commander Green:

Officer Thomas and Officer Pickett, stationed at Austin High School, have made the difficult job of disciplinarian much easier.

I am Dr. Spell, Dean of Students at Austin Business and Entrepreneurship Academy. Because there are two small independent schools housed at Austin, Officers Thomas and Pickett help two different deans and several autonomous administrators. Officers Thomas and Pickett are swift, constructive, and accommodating to all, and some of us have huge egos.

In our school, ABEA, maintaining the discipline of nearly 400 freshmen and sophomores is taxing. Unfortunately there have been instances where students had to be arrested. In these cases officers Thomas and Pickett were thorough yet understanding toward all concerned. Then there are times when adults want to use the police to make a point. In these situations, Officers Thomas and Picket truly serve and protect.

Both officers are excellent at finding the truth amid lies, settling disputes before they escalate. Once, belligerent parents wanted my head on a platter and Officer Picket protected me. Numerous times young adults have no idea of the trouble they're courting and Officer Thomas advises them with wisdom and love. Her kind of service is sorely needed in our community. If you could duplicate her twenty times over, the Austin community would have a much better opinion of and appreciation for law enforcement, and we would be safer by far. She raises consciousness.

Finally, I've tried to put into words the outstanding work of Officer Pickett and Officer Thomas. .But words fail to convey how they have helped save some students from would be disaster, or how they gave me, a novice, the confidence to proceed with integrity.

Sincerely,

Dana Spell, Dean of Students