On December 12, 2011, Chief David Brown accepted the “Above and Beyond Award” on behalf of the Dallas Police Department for its support of employees who are also members of the Guard and Reserve. The Above and Beyond Award is given by the Employer Support for Guard and Reserve (ESGR) every year to employers who not only follow the legal guidelines established to protect Guard and Reserve, but who also demonstrate a greater commitment to its military employees.

Sergeant Dudley Nosworthy of the Southeast Patrol Division nominated the Dallas Police Department for its continuing support of its military employees since 9/11. Retired Colonel JP Hogan wrote, “The Dallas Police Department was designated as a 2011 recipient of the ‘Above and Beyond Award’ for their support to several officers and employees of the Dallas Police Department mobilized in recent years. In addition to generous benefit packages, members of the department have supported their fellow workers by sending care packages and staying in contact with those deployed and holding special events for the families of deployed personnel.”

The Dallas Police Department has done many things to establish itself as a leader in assisting its military employees. Perhaps the biggest achievement is the support the department gives to the Dallas Police Department Military Assistance Program (DPDMAP) and the establishment of the Military Liaison Officer.

The implementation of DPDMAP in 2003 is the cornerstone of the department’s foundation of support. Founded by Retired Sergeant Debbie Branton, this group started as a small cadre of DPD civilians and officers who paid for and prepared care packages for deployed military employees. It has since grown into an organization of over 20 volunteers who have been able to raise funds to cover the costs of the care packages.

The department assists the mission of DPDMAP by allowing for storage of the care package materials, links to its website on the department’s intranet, fundraising space and advertising of its fundraising efforts through the Police News, via MDCs and department-wide emails. Through this material support, DPDMAP has been able to send over 2000 care packages to deployed service members. DPDMAP also keeps in touch with the deployed officers and their families through emails, lunch meetings and care packages.

The Military Liaison position was created to streamline the in-processing and out-processing of military employees on active duty assignments. Sergeant Lloyd Brown, a retired Chief Master Sergeant, is the current Military Liaison and assists officers who receive activation orders. Sergeant Brown then ensures that the required units receive the required paperwork and also reminds the employee to meet with the Pension office, Employee Benefits, update their will and suggest the employee also meets with their 401/457K representative.

Through the establishment of DPDMAP and the Military Liaison, the Dallas Police Department has become a model for employer responsibility to Guard and Reserve members. For more information on DPDMAP, contact them at DPDMAP@hotmail.com. For more information on the ‘Above and Beyond Award,’ please go to www.esgr.org.   

DPDMAP is an all volunteer group of DPD officers and DPD civilians originally founded by retired DPD Sgt. Debbie Branton several years ago. The program originally had only a handful of volunteers who prepared care packages to send to deployed DPD officers that were paid for by the volunteers themselves. Today, the program has increased to 20 members who continue the mission of keeping contact with deployed officers, family members, and friends through e-mail, phone calls, care packages, and lunch meets. Bosslift – In 2005, DPD participated in the ESGR Bosslift. This Bosslift is designed to give civilian bosses a peak into the military training and duties a reservist or guardsman accomplish on their military deployments and training assignments. Chief Golbeck and Sgt Nosworthy were flown to Ft Hood via helicopter to participate.

The department also signed an ESGR Statement of Support back in 2007 and updated it this year at the award ceremony. This statement of support.