Covington Police Department employees recently honored the best among them, voting three of their fellow workers as employees of the year: Sgt. Chuck Groover with support services, Officer Anthony Walden with the patrol division and administrative assistant Lerea Neely.

First, we salute those fine officers whose dedicated service led to their recognition; each one of them plays a crucial role in the process of keeping citizens safe.

Beyond those three, the city has a well-trained and respected police force and much of the credit needs to go to Public Safety Director Stacey Cotton, who has manned the helm for many years.

Cotton said at a recent council meeting that the police department was back up to full force. With a full staff, some newly-purchased cars and a new vehicle accountability program, we hope to see the most productive and efficient police force yet in 2014.