CONTACT:CHRIS RUYS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Chris Ruys (312) 337-7746
E-mail: chris@chrisruys.com
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, May 3, 2005
Deputy Chief Greg Lindmark, of the Rockford Police Department, was presented the 2005 Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) on Tuesday, May 3.
The award was given in recognition of Deputy Chief Lindmark's extraordinary efforts on behalf of individuals in Rockford diagnosed with a mental illness. Ole B. Pace III, of Sterling, ISBA president, presented the award.
The Law Enforcement Award was created to recognize sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. The award is given sparingly to recognize those who truly excel in the field of law enforcement.
In her nomination, Kathryn Zenoff, chief judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit, wrote that Greg Lindmark "is a leader and example to his fellow officers." She said that his efforts have enabled the court to allow those with a serious mental illness to spend less time in jail and more time receiving assistance from organizations that provide mental health services.
Deputy Chief Lindmark was instrumental in facilitating a Crisis Intervention Training for Rockford police officers, which enabled the officers to gain skills to deal more effectively with people in psychiatric crisis. He is an active participant in the Consumer Family Forum, a local organization composed of consumers promoting recovery from mental illness, and he served on the local Community Mental Health Task Force, which led to the creation of the new mental health court. As part of his efforts, Chief Lindmark met with downtown business owners to help educate them about the homeless population.
The 30,000-member Illinois State Bar Association, with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides professional services to Illinois lawyers, and education and services to the public.