Interim Executive Police Director David James and Eugene Police Officer Mark Gent accepted the National Guard Employment Support Program of the Guard and Reserve Above and Beyond Award on behalf of Eugene Police Department on Friday, April 20.
This award is presented by ESGR State Committees and recognizes employers at the local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). The Above and Beyond Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize employers providing extraordinary support and cooperation to their employees. The award is given in limited numbers by state committees to employers who have had at least one of their supervisors and or managers recognized with a Patriot Award, and who have signed or agree to sign a statement of support.
According to the National Guard Support Employment Support of the Guard and Reserve program, “The Eugene Police Department has previously received a Patriotic Award in 2017, Above and Beyond Award in 2009 and the Pro Patria Award in 2010. The support they show to their service members and their families is truly amazing. The Eugene Police Department continues to work with their soldier’s military obligations, which allows them to be successful in both their military and civilian careers.”
Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units Examples of an employer providing above and beyond support include differential pay or full pay to offset the loss of wages when a service member is mobilized or extending health benefits to complement coverage provided by the military.
Photo from left to right: ESGR Vice Chair of Operations Dan Hitchcock, Eugene Police Officer Mark Gent, EPD Interim Executive Police Director David James, ESGR State Chair Dennis Klein.