A Cinnaminson police officer was honored last month by an organization for security professionals for his community policing initiatives.

Officer Michael Czarzasty, an 11-year-veteran with the Cinnaminson Police Department, accepted the award for going “above and beyond.”

“It’s nice to be recognized by a different organization other than our own,” Czarzasty said.

The award came from ASIS International’s South Jersey chapter at its annual Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet on March 28.

Czarzasty is in charge of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program at Cinnaminson schools and coordinates all the DARE events. He’s also in charge of the Adopt-A-Cop Program and the first-grade reading event.

Czarzasty also designed the DARE car that won Best in Show honors at the New Jersey DARE Conference last month.

“Officer Czarzasty has dedicated countless hours of his own time to the schools and youth of Cinnaminson,” said Michael P. King, director of public safety for Cinnaminson. “Mike is a true professional who volunteers his time and displays his enthusiasm and dedication.”

Czarzasty also was instrumental in the new police car design unveiled two weeks ago by Cinnaminson Police.

On May 24, Czarzasty will once again head up the DARE carnival for fifth-graders in the township that participated in the program. He said even more features would be offered this year. 

“It makes me feel good [to win this award],” Czarzasty said. “It makes me motivated to do more.”