For the second time in three years, Richard Conerly has been named the Smithfield Police Officer of the Year.
Police Chief Michael Scott and Mayor Andy Moore recognized Officer Conerly, during the town council meeting Tuesday night, as the 2015 Officer of the Year.
Chief Scott said employees nominate the officer of the year by secret ballot. The officer who receives the most votes is then reviewed by a recognition committee consisting of four lieutenants and the Patrol Commander. The committee then makes the recommendation to Chief Scott, who has the final say as to this award.
Officer Conerly received the same award in 2012. He is a member of Patrol Team D. Chief Scott said Conerly gives freely of his personal time to attend recognition announcements for new hires as well as other officers. He also has served as acting sergeant on his patrol squad, while training several probationary officers. He is also one of two certified Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) on the department.
Conerly is a nine year veteran of the department and is currently a master patrol officer and field training officer. He previously worked as a narcotics detective. He was recognized in April 2015 as the Johnston County District Attorney’s Officer of the Month.
