University News

OPS Officer Receives Academy Award

December 4, 2018

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MACOMB, IL -- The newest member of Western Illinois University's Office of Public Safety (OPS) returned to duty earlier this semester with a prestigious award under his (safety) belt following 14 weeks at the Illinois Police Training Institute in Champaign.

Officer Matthew Haslam, who started with OPS in March 2018, took part in the basic police academy training over the summer, graduating in August. At the Academy, Haslam graduated in the top 10 of his class, and also received the Ervin H. Warren Award, which was created in 1967 to recognize an officer in each academy class that best exemplifies "today's concept of tomorrow's police officer."

Haslam, who hails from the United Kingdom, moved to the United States in 2015 to marry his wife, who hails from the region and teaches in WIU's English department. After a brief stint working in agriculture, Haslam applied for an officer's job at OPS. Prior to moving to the U.S., he spent 18 years in the Metropolitan Police Service in London.

"I am pleased to continue my policing career at OPS and am looking forward to meeting the students and faculty, and making a positive impact in the community," Haslam said.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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