![Master Police Officer Chris Szymanski, 43, was honored by the citizens advisory committee in the First Precinct as officer of the quarter on Tuesday, Sept. 1, during a meeting at the municipal center. Szymanski was credited with making a number of arrests, including some that resulted in weapons being taken off the street. [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]](https://princessanneindy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/pd-1.jpg)
COURTHOUSE — The citizens advisory committee for the First Precinct recognized Master Police Officer Chris Szymanski this past month for his efforts in community policing, training young officers and, perhaps most of all, for arrests that got weapons off the streets and his part in disrupting a marijuana “grow house.”
The 43-year-old officer said he has worked in various parts of the precinct in his role as a community police officer. “It’s just wherever crime, unfortunately, leads us,” he said.
Capt. David Squires, commanding officer of the precinct, said Szymanski issues 58 summonses in the quarter and made 21 arrests.
“Here’s what matters – four illegal firearms seized in the quarter,” Squires said. “Not a one of these guns was going to be used for good purposes. … Every one of these guns was a criminal weapon.”
Szymanski also stopped a growing operation in a home, Squires said.
The captain said Szymanski is committed to continuing his education and helping educate fellow officers, leading a class on engaging juveniles in ways that foster communication.
“Chris Szymanski, for our agency, is one of the leaders communicating to officer the science of how we should be treating juveniles differently,” Squires said in his remarks during the committee meeting.
