10:32am | The Southern California Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives will honor a Long Beach Police Department detective next week for her dedication to serving the Long Beach community.
The chapter has selected Violent Crimes Detective Jackie Bezart as the recipient of the 2011 Homer L. Garrot Community Service Award, which Bezart will receive on Saturday, March 12, during the chapter’s 10th annual Achiever’s Dinner.
An 11-year veteran of the city’s police force, Bezart has worked for the city of Long Beach for a total of 16 years. Prior to joining the the department’s ranks as a sworn officer, she was an LBPD public information officer.
Bezart’s tenure in the PIO office was marked by her commitment to keeping open and transparent the lines of communication between the department and the public, according to information provided by LBPD spokeswoman Lisa Massacani.
Prior to becoming a detective about a year ago, Bezart was a well-respected officer who advocated for victims and their families. Now, as a Violent Crimes detective, she continues to build and maintain positive relationships between the community and the LBPD, Massacani said.
Garrot, for whom the award is named, was the California Highway Patrol’s first Black motorcycle office and later went on to become an L.A. County Municipal Court judge.
NOBLE’s Southern California Chapter’s yearly event highlights individuals who are committed to community service, professionalism and dedication to the people they serve.
The dinner be held this year at USC Town and Gown, 6665 Exposition Blvd., in Los Angeles. A reception will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow at 8 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person, and additional information is available at SCCNOBLE.org.