HomeMy WebLinkAboutDWI All-Stars 2021Contact: Dan Reisig, Senior Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-833-9537 • Fax 952-826-0389 • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Six Edina Police Officers Named DWI All-Stars
Edina, Minn., Sept. 22, 2021 – Six officers of the Edina Police Department were recently recognized among the best in the state at stopping drunk driving, earning DWI All-Star recognition
from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS).
The six officers receiving recognition are Chad Anderson, Ryan Banaszewski, Jesse Penman, Mike Sussman, Ben Wenande and Jaren Zech. Penman and Wenande were also recipients of the honor
in 2020.
“The Edina Police Department takes DWI enforcement very seriously because we have seen the impact impaired driving can have on traffic safety,” said Sgt. Nate Mendel. “Our officers’
continued diligence in DWI enforcement helps to keep the driving public safer.”
Edina had the most nominations in the metro as well as among statewide jurisdictions. From 2019 through August 2021, Edina officers made 742 arrests for driving while intoxicated, an
average of 23 per month.
“Edina has shown a great commitment to reducing the fatal and serious injury crashes on the roadways. Those totals are very high this year, so their efforts are very much appreciated
as they are saving lives,” said OTS Law Enforcement Liaison Bill Hammes. “Every time they take one of these dangerous drivers off the street, there’s a possibility someone got to go
home to their family that night who might not have otherwise. That’s what this is all about.”
Zech was additionally recognized for a “Grand Slam,” in which he arrested four DWI offenders in one shift.
“It takes a lot of work to arrest someone for DWI. To get four of them in one shift, that’s a real commitment on his part and the Edina Police Department’s part for supporting him,”
Hammes added.
For more information on the Edina Police Department, visit EdinaMN.gov/police.
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