For Immediate Release
DATE: January 11, 2007

What: The media is invited to attend the presentation of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award to Department of Public Safety Detective David Platt.

When: Friday, January 12, 2007 at 1:00 p.m.

Where: Department of Public Safety Director's Executive Conference Room,
2102 West Encanto Boulevard, Phoenix

Details:
Tomorrow, Friday, January 12, 2007, the FBI will present Department of Public Safety Detective David Platt with the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award at the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Director's Executive Conference Room, 2102 West Encanto Boulevard, Phoenix, Arizona.

Since 1990, the FBI has publicly recognized the achievements of special individuals or organizations in our country that have made significant contributions in the area of anti terrorism, drug prevention, assisting in the dismantlement of criminal organizations, and/or violence education/prevention. From a list of highly competitive nominees, the Director of the FBI selects an individual from the Field Office's territory who has had an exemplary impact on their community in the fight against these crimes/criminals, and then awards them the distinguished "Director's Community Leadership Award."

Phoenix FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) John E. Lewis, DPS Director Roger Vanderpool, DPS Deputy Director David Felix, Chief Michael Longman of the Criminal Investigation Division, and Detective Platt's squad members, welcome the media to share the presentation of this prestigious award with our community. SAC Lewis stated, "It is a remarkable person who will so unselfishly serve our community with their time outside of what earns them a pay check. Detective Platt serves our community not only through his employment but uses his work experience off duty extending guidance and a helping-hand to those in need which only furthers the impact he personally exerts against violent crime and gang activity."

Detective David Platt, a twenty year veteran of the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), has been a member of the FBI Violent Street Gang Task Force (VSGTF) since July 1999. During his tenure on the task force, Detective Platt has been instrumental in high profile cases investigated by the VSGTF targeting gangs such as the Arizona New Mexican Mafia, the Hells Angels, and the Arizona Aryan Brotherhood Gang.

Additionally Detective Platt is a member of the state wide gang task force known as Gang Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission (GITEM). Detective Platt has represented the GITEM Gang Unit in public venues explaining how GITEM operates and how it can assist with neighborhood programs & enforcement activities.

Through his work with the FBI and GITEM, Detective Platt consistently provides gang awareness to valley students from elementary school to high school. He also trains teachers on how to recognize possible gang type activity and graffiti awareness, by watching notebooks and papers that are turned in or seen in the classroom.

Detective Platt is dedicated to FBI Phoenix Division's Community Outreach efforts by instructing groups of Junior Special Agents at Nevitt Elementary, Tempe, AZ and Sacaton Middle School, located on the Gila River Indian Reservation on the dangers of gang related activities. In doing so, Detective Platt has developed a wonderful rapport with the students to the extent they are willing to share their gang related experiences with him as they look to him for guidance.

Detective Platt's community service does not stop within the scope of his employment. He is a soccer coach at Magnet Traditional School and Vacation Bible school sports camps, as well as for the Clarendon Little League.

He is a mentor to a teen group at Monte Vista Church of the Nazarene, which includes listening and offering insight to teens looking for answers to troubling issues. He has provided his time to aid the elderly and low income families with home repairs and flooring needs, and participates in a men's ministry program that travels to Sonora, Mexico, to build homes for families in need. In the near future, Detective Platt will be traveling to the Ukraine to help the House of James project in effort to build an orphanage.

Representatives of the media are requested to enter through the north entrance of the Department of Public Safety Office and arrive no later than 12:45 p.m.