The Florida Sheriffs Association announced today that Communications Officer Erica Martin, of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, has been selected as the 2016 Dispatcher of the Year. This award is given to one deserving Communications Officer who has demonstrated exemplary service in the line of duty.

Officer Martin exemplifies the qualities of professionalism and commitment in the workplace. As a Telecommunicator in the Emergency Communications Center, it is important to adapt to each situation and respond in a calm and informative way to both help the caller and decide on the proper next steps. Officer Martin has displayed these skills in a number of high stress circumstances, including providing support during an active shooter and SWAT response situation, as well as instructing a son and daughter on how to perform CPR on their unconscious mother for 15 minutes, ultimately saving her life.

On February 4, 2015, Officer Martin answered a pregnancy call which quickly progressed into a delivery call. A husband called to report his wife’s contractions and while on the way to the hospital, the baby was born. Officer Martin immediately began giving him instructions on how to clear the baby’s airway and then how to tie off the umbilical cord with his shoelace. With a calm voice she used repetitive persistence to assist the father in keeping his wife and their newborn warm. Officer Martin remained on the phone call for 11 minutes to keep the family calm until help arrived on the scene.

What the family didn’t realize was that this was Officer Martin’s first time answering a delivery call prior to first responders arriving on the scene. Her remarkable actions were recognized by the National Q (outsource company) which they later noted on the quality assurance evaluation. Deputy Director Kurt Lockwood praised Officer Martin as “the epitome of exceptional customer service” for her actions during this emergent situation.

“Erica is a tremendous asset to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “She has demonstrated her dedication and commitment through her outstanding service to the agency and the service she provides to the citizens of Polk County.”

“I am pleased to represent the Harris Foundation in honoring Deputy Erica Martin as the 2016 Dispatcher of the Year,” said Greg Coleman. “She is a tribute to her department and to her fellow dispatchers.”

For her dedicated service, the Florida Sheriffs Association and Harris have named Communications Officer Erica Martin the 2016 Dispatcher of the Year. During their annual winter conference banquet, Martin was given a standing ovation from the 500-plus law enforcement attendees and their supporters.

Harris Communictations, based in Melbourne, Florida, provides advanced, technology-based solutions that solve government and commercial customers' mission critical challenges, supporting customers in more than 125 countries. 

Watch Officer Martin’s spotlight video here: https://youtu.be/glYzBIFNFDM

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About Florida Sheriffs Association:
The Florida Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation made up of Florida’s Sheriffs, approximately 3,500 business leaders and 70,000 citizens throughout the state. Founded in 1893, FSA has quietly served the citizens of Florida by supporting the needs of the state's law-enforcement community. Through the Florida Sheriffs Association, Sheriffs are given a forum to address lawmakers to push for positive changes in Florida’s public safety arena. FSA also provides Sheriffs' Offices much-needed programs such as affordable training, special task forces and legislative and legal services.  Dedicated to the prevention of juvenile delinquency and the development of lawful, productive citizens, FSA both established and continues to fund the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches with facilities throughout the state to help restore hope, fulfill dreams, and prepare boys and girls for the future. The Florida Sheriffs Association has grown to be one of the largest and most successful state law enforcement associations in the nation. For more information on the Florida Sheriffs Association, visit www.flsheriffs.org.

About Harris:
Harris Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving our customers’ toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform and protect. Harris supports customers in more than 125 countries, has approximately $8 billion in annual revenue and 22,000 employees worldwide. The company is organized into four business segments: Communication Systems, Space and Intelligence Systems, Electronic Systems, and Critical Networks. Learn more at: www.harris.com.

For more information:
Nanette Schimpf, APR, CPRC
Moore Communications Group
850-224-0174 work
850-528-2639 cell