PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kate Reilly, Deputy Chief of Staff
978-620-3013/ kreilly@cityoflawrence.com
June 19, 2019, Lawrence, MA- Mayor Daniel Rivera, with Police Chief Roy Vasque announced Detective Sergeant Amanda Burke and Detective Ana Villavizar received awards in May from the Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement (MAWLE). “Increasing the diversity of the Lawrence Police Department has been a top priority of my administration. Front and center of this diversity is the increase in female officers. The number of female officers is up to 13, the highest in the City’s history. Detective Sergeant Burke and Detective Villavizar are shining examples of the caliber of law enforcement professionals our community can expect out of their police force,” said Mayor Daniel Rivera. “I commend them on their awards and recognitions from MAWLE and thank them for setting the example in Lawrence. I am proud to have them represent our community.”
Detective Sergeant Burke is the recipient of the Special Recognition Award for the Spirit of MAWLE. Detective Sergeant Burke was recognized for her continued leadership and professionalism as a sexual assault investigator.
Detective Villavizar is the recipient of the Spirit of MAWLE Award for Excellence in Performance. In blank 2019, Detective Villavizar was the first detective assigned to an investigation of an 11 year old that was exposed to fentanyl and later died.
“Detective Sergeant Burke and Detective Villavizar are dedicated members of our police force,” said Police Chief Roy Vasque. “Their commitment to keeping residents safe and their professionalism on a daily basis is a testament to the hard work we have been putting in to improve our police force. I congratulate them on a job well done.”]
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