The Plainfield Police Department announced recently that Vanessa Hutchins was awarded the Civilian of Year Award for 2015 and Michael Fisher was awarded the Supervisor of the Year award for 2015.
Since joining the police department in August 2011, Hutchins has served as a part-time Courts Technician, before being promoted to Executive Assistant to the Community Service Division.
According to the police department, no matter the position, Hutchins has always shown tremendous care, exemplary diligence and a kind heart.
Hutchins never misses an opportunity to ask how someone is doing, and about their family, dogs, babies, grandkids, boyfriends, girlfriends or parents. She always shows interest in the welfare of the individual before attending to the business at hand.
Hutchins brings this same sense of care and individual attention to her interaction with the public. Whether on the phone, or face-to-face, she is attentive to the person’s needs, considerate of their feelings and committed to assisting them with their problems.
Hutchins also helps with department projects such as D.A.R.E. graduations, pool parties, dances, PEMA Awards Banquets and National Night Out. No matter the event, she has ideas to make each a special occasion for those involved.
According to a release from the department, Hutchins possesses that quality of seeing the best in people, and works hard to make us see it in ourselves. Greeting her fellow employees with a smile and a “Hello angel,” she brightens our workplace and spirits.
Hutchins was given the award because the department said she is also one of the most diligent and thoughtful people when it comes to her work. Fisher was hired as a police officer with the village of Plainfield on June 27, 1994. During his 22 years of service, Sergeant Fisher has worked in several different capacities. Although most of his supervisory tenure has been spent as a Patrol Sergeant, Fisher has also been assigned as the Sergeant overseeing the School Resource and DARE officers.
Currently, Fisher has several collateral responsibilities within the police department, which include: Public Information Officer, Juvenile Officer and Evidence Technician. Fisher has also been the police department’s Range Master and possesses an exuberant amount of knowledge pertaining to firearms. He also spent several years as a Gang Resistance Education and Training Instructor for the police department.
During his career, Fisher has received several department awards, including a life-saving award in 2005. Fisher has also received several letters of recognition for the level of work he has performed, a few of which were handwritten letters of appreciation from different citizens.
In 2015, Fisher was assigned as the day shift Patrol Sergeant. During that time, Fisher responded to several critical incidents and took immediate control of the scene and made several instant and effective decisions, which resulted in favorable outcomes.
A few of the most notable incidents were the suicidal subject with a firearm on James Street and an armed robbery assignment on Route 59.
Fisher is described by his peers as a very knowledgeable and professional officer who always leads by example.
The department said his reputation for sound judgment and decision making skills are why he is often called upon to be the acting patrol commander.