FROM CENTRAL ALABAMA CRIMESTOPPERS
Top Photo: Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson with Corporal Frederick Surls.
On May 4, 2021 Central Alabama CrimeStoppers awarded Corporal Fredrick Surls with the title of Prattville City Police Department’s 2020 CrimeStoppers School Resource Officer of the Year.
Central Alabama CrimeStoppers is proud to recognize another 2020 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. This recognition would normally take place in January at our annual luncheon in downtown Montgomery. Unfortunately, the luncheon was cancelled this year due to the Covid-19 restrictions for crowd size. As a result, this year’s participants will be recognized individually with a limited amount of family and friends present.
School Resource Supervisor Lieutenant T. R. Hope wrote, “I am submitting this letter to recommend that Cpl. Fredrick Surls be recognized as the 2020 CrimeStoppers School Resource Officer of the Year. Cpl. Surls is currently assigned as the School Resource Officer at Prattville High School, which is one of the largest schools in the State of Alabama, with over 2000 students and faculty on campus each day.”
Cpl. Surls is nominated due to his strong positive police presence at the school and high visibility. He takes the security of the campus very seriously and works hard to make sure the campus is secure and safe.
Cpl. Surls’ smiling and great attitude. He has done an outstanding job of building relationships with students and faculty. The students truly trust him and feel comfortable coming to him with any issues they are having at the school or at home. Cpl. Surls is continuously checking on students that are struggling, asking about their grades, and trying to encourage them. The principal at Prattville High School, Brock Dunn, complemented Cpl. Surls, saying “He has a great demeanor and he is a role model for the students.” Cpl. Surls also speaks to every Drivers Education class each semester, teaching them “What to do if you get pulled over.”
Cpl. Surls exemplifies what it means to be a School Resource Officer. He understands the importance of the students seeing that he, as a Police Officer, truly cares about them and wants the best for them. He continues to build bridges between our department and the community.
“I believe Cpl. Surls dedication and service to the Prattville High School and to our community should be recognized with the 2020 CrimeStoppers School Resource Officer of the Year Award,” Lt. Hope said.
Corporal Fredrick Surls, on behalf of Central Alabama CrimeStoppers we are honored to award you with Prattville Police Department’s 2020 CrimeStoppers School Resource Officer of the Year Award.
Congratulations,
Tony A. Garrett
CACS Executive Director
