Port Police Name Santiago "Officer of the Year"

- Consistent performance, expertise in labor relations noted -

The Port of Seattle Police Department has presented its 2006 "Officer of the Year" award to Officer Jose Santiago. The 31-year veteran was nominated by his colleagues, and selected by the department's command staff.

"This is about consistent daily performance," said Port of Seattle Police Chief Tim Kimsey. "After 31 years, Jose still comes to work every day looking to make a difference in peoples' lives."

"That ranges from simply giving directions to a lost traveler, to the 15 years he spent doing very dangerous duty on the airport SWAT team," Kimsey said.

Officer Santiago is somewhat of a traveler himself, as his father was in the military during the Vietnam era. He attended school in both the United States and Europe, eventually ending up in the military himself. His civilian career started at the Port of Seattle in the airport garage. In 1975 he was accepted into the Port of Seattle Police Department and sent to the state police academy.

During his career with the Port, Officer Santiago has not only served on the SWAT team, but as a detective and as part of the department's marine patrol. His colleagues made special note of his expertise in labor relations, an important skill in a police department that patrols the highly unionized seaport and airport.

"We really owe a lot to Jose," said Port of Seattle Commission President Pat Davis. "Not only does he deliver excellent service to citizens, but he's also an excellent role model for our younger officers."

The Officer of the Year award was presented in a ceremony at Sea-Tac Airport, and Officer Santiago's name will be added to the plaque listing all of the officers so honored over the last two decades. He also will receive a $1,000 cash award, funded equally by the Port and the Teamsters Local Union 117.