Collier County Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk has earned the Florida D.A.R.E. Officers Association’s Leadership Award
Sheriff Rambosk was presented with the award July 14 by FDOA President Fred Jones at the Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., during the organization’s annual training conference.
The Leadership Award is presented annually to a Florida sheriff or police chief who exhibits outstanding dedication to the community’s youth.
“Sheriff Rambosk personifies leadership,” Jones said. “Not only does he take bad guys off the street, but through his investment in children he puts good guys on the street.”
Throughout his 30-plus years in law enforcement Sheriff Rambosk has recognized the fact that D.A.R.E. and other youth programs are critical elements of any community that strives to be safe and well rounded.
In the short-term, youths who are involved in structured programming don’t have time to become bored and get into trouble. In the long-term, these types of activities and the relationships that students build with the adults who provide them build healthy decision-making skills and help young people grow up to be productive adults.
“The resources that we as a community devote to our young people are an investment in our future,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “By keeping our children and teenagers involved in fun and safe activities we are helping them grow up to be productive members of society.”
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office provides D.A.R.E. instruction to fifth-grade students in 26 public and private schools, and Sheriff Rambosk attends D.A.R.E.-related events such as Junior Deputy Camp whenever possible to interact with students and to show his support.
In addition, Sheriff Rambosk serves on D.A.R.E. America’s prestigious International Executive Law Enforcement Advisory Board. He agreed to serve on the board because he wants to have a voice in ensuring that the D.A.R.E. curriculum continues to address emerging youth trends that law enforcement officers are seeing in their communities.
In 2010, Sheriff Rambosk launched Summerfest, CCSO’s most ambitious youth program ever. Now in its second year, Summerfest includes a wide range of activities including a Build-A-Boat program, fishing, swimming, basketball camp and much, much more. Deputies made more than 50,000 youth contacts during Summerfest last year and they are anticipating even greater success this summer as Summerfest gains momentum.
