This year, we are proud to recognize Darlene Wallace, an officer who has repeatedly gone above and beyond the call of duty to assist Bellevue residents and earn their trust. She has been a lifeline for some, offering help, including connecting people to vital services, purchasing food and clothing items with her own money, showing grace & understanding, and sometimes, simply a listening ear. She has been known to call and check in on people if she hasn't seen them in a while. She does this AND still enforces our laws. When interviewed about her work, Darlene said, “I try to put myself in their shoes, what it would be like to not have your vehicle, not have your home. I try to take it from that perspective and not just a hardline you have got to get off the street approach.”

As this news story demonstrates, Bellevue police officers have the opportunity to connect with people in our community. We are impressed by the humanity Darlene Wallace brings to her work and are honored to present her with the Craig Hanaumi Service Award for 2020.

Here’s a short video that ran on KIRO Television that illustrates Officer Wallace’s service.

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/bellevue-police-credited-with-helping-a-homeless-man-off-the-streets/1004402281/