Lexington Medical Center Police Officer earns J.P. Strom Award prestigious honor goes to top student at South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
July 18, 2016
Lexington Medical Center police officer James Michael “Mike” Brazell has received the prestigious J.P. Strom Award from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. This honor is the top award in the Basic Law Enforcement Class and goes to the student who has attained the highest cumulative academic score for all tests.
“This award shows Mr. Brazell’s dedication to law enforcement and his academic excellence,” said Major Matthew Braxton, interim Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety at Lexington Medical Center. “It also demonstrates the quality of officers employed within our hospital police department.”
Mr. Brazell was one of 67 people from around South Carolina who began training on April 17 to become certified law enforcement officers. Participants in the 12-week course completed six tests on legal processes, and showed proficiency in defensive tactics, driving, firearms, and driving under the influence (DUI) standard field sobriety application and breath alcohol analysis.
A minimum of 96% average had to be obtained to qualify to receive the J.P. Strom Award and no student who failed to complete the testing aspects or had any disciplinary issues was eligible for the award. Mr. Brazell is Lexington Medical Center’s first J.P. Strom Award winner.
The Lexington Medical Center Department of Public Safety is an accredited law enforcement agency. In 2006, Lexington Medical Center became the first hospital in South Carolina to create its own police department. The hospital’s police officers have the authority to carry weapons, issue citations and make arrests, similar to any other police officer or county deputy. There are currently 24 police officers on the hospital’s force.
The department also coordinates hospital safety efforts ranging from crime prevention, criminal investigation and crime reporting to emergency preparedness, escorts and vehicle assistance.
Caption: L to R: Michael Lanier, Deputy Director of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy; James Michael “Mike” Brazell, Lexington Medical Center police officer; and Major Matthew Braxton, Lexington Medical Center Interim Director of Public Safety
About Lexington Medical Center
Lexington Medical Center, in West Columbia, S.C., anchors a health care network that includes six community medical centers throughout Lexington County and employs a staff of 6,000 health care professionals. The network also includes comprehensive cardiovascular and oncology care affiliated with Duke Medicine, an occupational health center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas and 58 physician practices. At its heart is the 428-bed state-of-the-art Lexington Medical Center, with a reputation for the highest quality care. Lexington Medical Center has won “Best Hospital” by readers of The State for 13 years, “Best Hospital” by readers of the Free Times, “Best Place to Have a Baby” by readers of Palmetto Parent and The State, the “Consumer Choice Award” from the National Research Corporation and the prestigious “Beacon of Excellence Award” from Press Ganey for outstanding patient satisfaction. Visit LexMed.com
