GOOSE CREEK, S.C.–Choosing the City of Goose Creek Employee of the Year is never an easy task. Yet in 2015, one Goose Creek Police Officer made the choice a little less difficult.
PFC Dariusz Ambroziak received the honor at this month’s City Council meeting. He won Employee of the Year for both the police department and the City as a whole.
When Ambroziak joined the GCPD traffic team, Police Chief Harvey Becker began receiving compliments concerning the young patrolman. While that fact alone may not seem unusual, it was from whom many of the compliments were coming that caught Becker’s eye.
Time and again, the Chief heard motorists praise Ambroziak – and they did so after receiving a traffic ticket from the patrolman.
“It is remarkable given the inherently negative environment in which he works that Dariusz has received compliments from citizens whom he has issued citations,” Becker said.
That the typical ticket is $237.50 with four points assessed makes the compliments even more impressive. The words of praise come “in writing, by phone messages, and via direct reports to court staff and police department staff members,” Becker said.
So what is Ambroziak’s secret?
“Nine out of 10 times, if you explain why you stopped them, and spend a couple of extra minutes talking to them, they’ll say, ‘Thank you,’” Ambroziak explained. “Just because you broke a traffic violation doesn’t mean you’re a bad person … I’m going to take the time to tell you what you did wrong.”
The goodwill he has created between the GCPD and local motorists is only part of what makes Ambroziak an asset to Goose Creek.
“Dariusz is very thorough and detailed,” Becker said. “He has completed numerous classes in the field of traffic enforcement and investigations. Even when he is not asked he often assists with calls for service, and he has received many compliments from various supervisors for his attitude and willingness to lend a helping hand.
“It is not just one specific area that defines Dariusz, but every aspect of his dedication to the agency, to the City, and most importantly to the community he serves.”
Ambroziak has been formally recognized by the 9th Circuit Law Enforcement Network for his hard work and dedication to roadway safety. Since being assigned to the traffic team in 2011, he has led the agency in collisions investigated, public contacts and citations written.
The City’s highest employee award came as a surprise to Ambroziak, who joined the GCPD in 2008. “I had no idea I’d won … it was a nice surprise,” he said. “It’s nice to be appreciated.”
The upstate New York native knew from an early age that he wanted to be a policeman – and why. “I always wanted to be a cop, ever since I was a little boy,” he said. “Just to be able to help out when someone is in a tough spot … helping people out makes you feel better about yourself.”
Ambroziak and his wife Christine have two children, 3-year-old Izabella and 10-month-old Alexander.
The Goose Creek Employee of the Year is chosen by City Council from each of the City’s department Employees of the Year.
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