Det. Sgt. Skipski receives Outstanding Service Award.

Det. Sgt. Skipski receives Outstanding Service Award.

TROY — Det. Sgt. Kevin Skipski of the Hart Police Department was among three 2021 Outstanding Service Awards (OSA) recipients honored by the Police Officers Labor Council (POLC).

Det. Sgt. Skipski and two Bloomfield Township officers received the awards. They were nominated by fellow POLC officers. 

“The POLC is proud to represent this officer, who models perfectly the dual role of police to protect  and serve,” said POLC Director Rob Figurski. “In addition to his regular duties, this POLC-represented officer is living a life of service that instills trust in law enforcement, particularly in impressionable youth.”  

While Det. Sgt. Kevin Skipski has saved three lives during his 25-year law enforcement  career, he received the OSA for his extensive service to the community and his department. 

“I always promised myself, when I became a police officer, I wanted to give back to the community as much as possible,” he said. “Being in the schools, the kids trust me so much, and I think that’s important.” 

Every year, Det. Sgt. Skipski improves his department by training fellow officers in the proper use of tasers, first aid, CPR, bleeding control and firearms. For the past 20 years, he has also shared his knowledge with law enforcement cadets as a drill instructor at West Shore Community College. 

As a school resource officer, he counsels teens on tough topics like sexting, drugs and alcohol. He also teaches safety to younger children, dressing up as a Safety Pup for elementary students and he instructs fifth graders through the Teaching, Educating and Mentoring (TEAM) program. 

“Principals and deans have called upon Det. Sgt. Skipski to assist with many investigations at the schools, ranging from bullying issues, drug possession, vaping and a host of other sensitive issues,” said Hart Police Chief Juan Salazar in his OSA nomination. “The relationship that the Hart Police Department  has at our public schools has never been stronger.” 

“To me, policing is looking beyond all the negativity,” Skipski said. “Whether it’s a magic show or volunteering for dunk tanks, I think it’s important for people to see you as a different person, not always  as a police officer.” 

“Since being promoted to Detective Sergeant in 2016, Det. Sgt. Skipski has assisted the department  in investigating high priority/complex complaints,” said Salazar. “This has allowed road patrol officers to strictly focus on day-to-day issues and allowed Det. Sgt. Skipski to properly investigate these timely  complaints.” 

Skipski has written and been awarded several grants benefiting the community and police department. “There are so many officers that do such great things,” Skipski said. “I read about it all the time. I’m just a small representation of them.” 

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