Plant City Police Department Awards Ceremony Honors Excellence in Service
The Friends of the Plant City Police Department Foundation was honored to attend the Plant City Police Department Awards Ceremony on August 18, 2026, celebrating members of PCPD whose service, professionalism, courage, and commitment have made a meaningful difference in Plant City.
Held at the Plant City Police Department, the ceremony brought together department leadership, officers, professional staff, families, and community supporters for an important purpose: recognizing the people behind the badge and the exceptional work they perform on behalf of our community.
Recognizing Excellence Across the Plant City Police Department
Following the Presentation of Colors by the PCPD Honor Guard, Pledge of Allegiance, invocation, and remarks from Police Chief Richard Mills Jr., the department presented awards recognizing several forms of outstanding service.
The ceremony included recognition for:
Employee Recognition
Outstanding Performance
Distinguished Performance
Unit Citation
Life Saving actions
Hurricane Milton service and response
Each award represents something different, but together they tell a larger story about law enforcement service in Plant City.
Some accomplishments happen quietly through consistent professionalism and dedication. Others require extraordinary teamwork, decisive action, or courage during moments when another person's safety or life may depend on what happens next.
All are worthy of recognition.
Remembering the Response to Hurricane Milton
One particularly meaningful component of the ceremony was the Hurricane Milton Commendation Award, recognizing service connected to one of the most significant storms to affect the Plant City community in recent years.
When Hurricane Milton approached Florida in October 2024, Plant City faced severe wind, rainfall, flooding, widespread power outages, and extensive recovery challenges. The Plant City Police Department prepared its Emergency Operations Center ahead of the storm and continued serving the community throughout the response and recovery period, including patrols protecting local businesses left without power.
Plant City experienced wind gusts reported near 100 mph and more than 12 inches of rainfall during the storm, making Milton an extraordinary test for local first responders and public safety personnel.
Recognizing that service serves as an important reminder that public safety does not stop when conditions become difficult. In many cases, that is precisely when our officers are needed most.
Honoring the People Who Serve Plant City
Ceremonies like this provide the community with a glimpse of work that often happens outside the public eye.
Behind every call for service, investigation, emergency response, traffic stop, community event, and lifesaving action are men and women who have chosen a profession built around responsibility to others.
The Friends of the PCPD Foundation exists to strengthen support for those who serve while helping build stronger relationships between law enforcement and the Plant City community. Through officer support, community outreach, youth engagement, enhanced training opportunities, and other public safety initiatives, the Foundation works alongside residents and local partners to help strengthen a safer, more connected Plant City.
Being present for the Plant City Police Department Awards Ceremony was another opportunity to celebrate that mission where it begins: with the people doing the work.
Congratulations to Our PCPD Award Recipients
To every officer, employee, team, and unit recognized during this year's ceremony, congratulations and thank you.
Your professionalism matters. Your dedication matters. Your willingness to step forward when Plant City needs you matters.
The Friends of the PCPD Foundation is proud to stand alongside the Plant City Police Department and proud to help ensure our community continues to recognize, encourage, and support the people who serve it.
Congratulations to all of the 2026 award recipients, and thank you for your service to Plant City.
Stand Behind Those Who Serve Plant City
Celebrating exceptional service is important. Supporting the people behind that service is where our community can make an even greater impact.
The Friends of the PCPD Foundation gives local businesses, organizations, families, and community members an opportunity to stand alongside the Plant City Police Department and help advance our mission of strengthening trust, supporting service, and building a safer, more connected Plant City.
Whether you want to make an individual contribution or become one of our community sponsors, there are several levels of support available.
When Plant City stands behind those who serve it, our entire community is stronger.
Comments