Police Officer Bennie Evans

Alexandria (VA) Police Department

Washington, DC—The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has selected Police Officer Bennie Evans, of the Alexandria (VA) Police Department, as the recipient of its Officer of the Month Award for February 2017.
Eight years ago, a police officer started working more directly with the homeless individuals in Alexandria (VA), a city just south of Washington, DC. Today, Police Officer Bennie Evans is known throughout the Alexandria community and even earned the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing.
Officer Evans is a lead Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) instructor for his department, where officers receive training in mental health and substance abuse issues. He is regarded as one of the best CIT instructors in the area and trains officers throughout Virginia. He has used these skills while on patrol and has successfully de-escalated numerous potentially violent situations.
Not surprisingly, Officer Evans also serves as the department’s homeless outreach liaison and has created strong bonds with the city’s homeless shelters. He works with the City Community Service Board to provide services to Alexandria’s homeless community.
“So deep is [Evans’] drive to assist this vulnerable population, he collects and stores clothing donations on his own and brings them with him to work to provide clean clothes and replace those in disrepair,” said Lieutenant Matthew Weinert in his memo nominating Officer Evans for the U.S. Attorney General’s Award. Officer Evans is also known to buy clothing for the homeless with his own money.
Because of his previous United States Marine Corps duty, Officer Evans also serves as a liaison between the homeless veterans he encounters and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He assists them to ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to.
“Officer Evans embraces every aspect of Community Policing with exemplary performance during field operations in his tireless dedication to the citizens of the City of Alexandria,” Lieutenant Weinert said.
“Officer Evans’ law enforcement service and his tireless work in his community, especially the homeless population in Alexandria, is exemplary,” Memorial Fund President and CEO Craig W. Floyd said. “He uses his personal time and money to help those in need. He’s not only an extraordinary officer, but an amazing fellow human being and very deserving of the Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award.”
Located in the nation’s capital, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. The Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award Program began in 1996 and recognizes federal, state, and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.
Police Officer Evans, along with the other Officer of the Month Award recipients for 2017, will be honored during National Police Week at a special awards ceremony in Washington, DC, in May 2018.

The Police Unity Tour is the official sponsor of the Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Program.