Each year, the Bloomington Optimist Club recognizes a Bloomington Police Department (BPD) officer who consistently upholds the department’s core value of Respect while professionally serving the community. This year, the Respect for Law Award was presented to BPD Officer Andy Plant.
Officer Andy Plant: Optimist Club Respect for Law Officer of the Year
Officer Andy Plant was sworn in as an officer of the BPD in October 2004, where he served in the Patrol Bureau. Officer Plant also serves on several specialty assignments, including as a crime technician, field training officer, honor guard member, range officer, and mobile field force squad leader.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience in the Patrol Bureau, Plant is a mentor and go-to resource for newly trained officers. As an honor guard member, Plant attends funerals throughout the state while leading the team in honoring officers who have died in the line of duty.
Officer Plant was also the recipient of BPD’s Officer of the Year Award.
Public Safety Telecommunicator Michelle Martinsen: Civilian Staff Member of the Year
Public Safety Telecommunicator Michelle Martinsen is the recipient of the BPD Civilian Staff Member of the Year Award. Martinsen serves as a hostage negotiator, communications training officer and command post operator.
Multiple nominations came in for Martinsen referencing her exceptional dedication and hard work while demonstrating respect in all her interactions. She masters multiple tasks at one time, has amazing attention to detail, maintains a depth of knowledge, and has a passion for serving.
Martinsen goes above and beyond to serve the community and her colleagues. She is respected by the Police and Fire staff as they recognize the important role she has in keeping them safe as they serve the community, referring to her as a guardian angel.
