Sumpter Township Police Department Awards for 2023 were presented during the May 28 township board meeting by Public Service Director/Police Chief Eric Luke.
Officer Gino Criscenti was named Officer of the Year for the second year in a row.
Chief Luke explained the selection for Officer of the Year is based on the member’s significant contribution to the mission of the Sumpter Township Police Department. The award is recognized with a certificate, a citation bar to be worn on the officer’s uniform shirt, the officer’s name on the “Officer of the Year” perpetual plaque in the police department lobby, and a desktop award.
Chief Luke said for the second year in a row, Officer Gino Criscenti has distinguished himself as the example of what the township looks for in its officers. Officer Criscenti comes to work every day ready to support this department’s mission, he said.
“He consistently puts forth solid work and does not hesitate to get the job done, he said.
“Officer Criscenti’s attention to detail and effort put forth on his cases resulted in convictions. Officer Criscenti, having just completed his second year with the department, was selected to be a member of the FTO [Field Training Officer] cadre. Upon completing the requisite training, Officer Criscenti spent almost as many shifts as a training officer as he did on solo patrol and became an integral part of the field training program.
“Officer Criscenti approaches his duties with an attitude that fosters a motivated workforce. Even with his extra casework and duties, Ofc Criscenti comes to work every day excited to be the police. Officer Criscenti sets himself apart so markedly that this is the first time the Department has recognized an officer with this award in back-to-back years,” Chief Luke said.
Chief’s Recognition Awards
Chief Luke said he may present this award to a member of the police department for any reason deemed worthy of recognition. The award is recognized with a certificate. Chief Luke presented Recognition Awards to the following:
Officer Gino Criscenti
On Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, at at 8:22 p.m., Officer Gino Criscenti responded to Holiday West Mobile Home Park for numerous calls of shots being fired.
Incoming calls reported a possible suspect fleeing the area at a high rate of speed and provided a vehicle description. Officer Criscenti located the suspect vehicle and, upon contacting it, determined it was also wanted in connection to a robbery in another jurisdiction.
Officer Criscenti, without backup available and without hesitation, attempted to stop the possibly armed and wanted suspect. The driver feigned initial compliance but fled, leading Officer Criscenti on a pursuit into Washtenaw County.
Moments later, Officer Criscenti was joined by sheriff deputies who aided in bringing the pursuit to an end, and Officer Criscenti successfully took the suspect into custody.
Officer Kevin Gibson
On Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, at 11:52 a.m., Officer Kevin Gibson responded to assist on a scene of an aggravated domestic in which the adult female daughter repeatedly stabbed her elderly father in the head. The female fled the residence on foot into the wooded area behind the house.
With the assistance of an MSP K-9 unit, Officer Gibson searched for the female in the woods. After a track that lasted almost 15 minutes, they located the suspect. The still-possibly armed suspect was non-compliant with officers’ commands to surrender, and the K-9 was being prepared to be deployed to effect the arrest.
Having had prior interactions with the suspect, Officer Gibson tried to establish a rapport with her and talk her into surrendering peacefully. When it appeared to be successful, the suspect attempted to run again. Rather than have the K-9 deploy and likely cause bite injuries during the apprehension, Officer Gibson quickly utilized his Taser to gain compliance and was able then to take the suspect into custody without further incident.
Officer Jesiah Rodriguez
Officer Christopher Rose
On Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, at 11:06 a.m., Officers Jesiah Rodriguez and Christopher Rose attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle after observing it to have an expired license plate. The vehicle took action to avoid police contact, though the officers successfully affected the traffic stop.
During the stop, Officers Rodriguez and Rose learned the driver was operating with a suspended license. Further investigation led to the discovery of a small scale with white powdery residue on it, along with other items indicative of drug possession/sales. The continued investigation led to the discovery of almost 30 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine, 12 grams of mushrooms, and a fully loaded handgun that officers learned was stolen.
The driver and passenger were arrested and subsequently charged with several criminal offenses.
Officer Nicholas Johnson
On Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at 11:49 p.m., Officer Nicholas Johnson conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. Immediately upon effecting the traffic stop, the driver began exhibiting abnormal behavior, including exiting the vehicle and walking around to the front of the car.
During the traffic stop, Officer Johnson determined the driver was operating with a suspended license. Further investigation led to the discovery of a loaded, unregistered firearm located where it would have been between the driver’s feet and readily accessible had the driver remained in the vehicle.
The illegal firearm was secured, and the driver was subsequently charged with carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle.
Officer Gino Criscenti
On Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at 6:16 p.m., Officer Gino Criscenti conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. During the traffic stop, it was determined the driver was operating with a suspended driver’s license.
Further investigation led to the discovery of a loaded handgun underneath the driver’s seat. The firearm was determined to be a “ghost gun” and had no serial number. The illegal firearm was secured, and the driver was subsequently charged with carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle.
Officer Christopher Rose
Officer Sean Hudson
On Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, at 7:06 p.m., Officer Christopher Rose and Officer Sean Hudson were responding to Holiday West Mobile Home Park for a report of a home invasion that just occurred, during which two armed suspects had shot at the victims.
The suspects had fled the scene, and a vehicle description was provided. Officer Rose, upon arrival in the area, located the suspect vehicle. Rather than let the vehicle flee, Officer Rose did not hesitate and initiated a felony stop while his backup was still en route. Officer Rose verbally commanded the two occupants, and Officer Hudson arrived to assist with the high-risk stop.
Officers Rose and Hudson worked as a team to systematically take both suspects into custody without further incident. Officers Hudson and Rose recovered two firearms from the vehicle (one, a fully loaded Glock 19X 9mm handgun; the other, a BB gun that replicates the Glock handgun with no features to allow an officer to distinguish it from the real version).
Officer Sean Hudson
Officer Christopher Rose
On Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, at 10:38 p.m., Officers Sean Hudson and Christopher Rose responded to a domestic assault involving a female victim, reporting the male suspect was threatening her with a shotgun.
Upon the officers’ arrival, they were granted entry into the residence and were immediately met by the male, who was still armed with the shotgun. The armed male was initially not compliant with Officer Hudson’s verbal commands.
Despite the armed suspect’s hesitation, the officers showed composure and restraint in their response to the suspect’s actions, and in a situation that could have quickly escalated into a deadly force encounter, Officers Hudson and Rose were able to gain compliance and take the suspect into custody without injury to anyone involved.
Officer Kevin Gibson
On Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at 2:31 p.m., Officer Kevin Gibson responded to a residence in Holiday West where a juvenile had reported someone just shot into the home. Officer Gibson investigated the scene and determined two bullets struck the residence, piercing the exterior walls and going through the interior of the home, luckily missing the 12-year-old.
Officer Gibson’s investigation determined a trajectory that directed him to a residence on Rawsonville Road, which he determined had previously been the focus of target shooting complaints.
At that location, he found three people had been target shooting in the backyard and determined their makeshift backstop was entirely insufficient for the rifle rounds they were firing. Ofc. Gibson’s detailed investigation resulted in charges against the three persons for the careless discharge of their firearms.
“We thank the above award recipients and every other department member for a job well done in 2023 and for your continued dedication and service to the community,” Chief Luke said at the conclusion of his presentation to the township board.
He then told the board and the public: “You have great human beings in your police department … You should be proud of them.”