The IACP named MPD Officers Jamal Mitchell, Nicholas Kapinos, Eric Withanom, and Luke Kittock as recipients of the IACP Officer of the Year Award — one of the highest recognitions in global law enforcement. The honor was presented posthumously to Officer Mitchell, who was killed in the line of duty in May 2024 after responding to a shooting in south Minneapolis.
According to the IACP, Mitchell was ambushed after stopping to assist what appeared to be two victims. Officers Kapinos, Withanom, and Kittock responded under heavy gunfire, protecting firefighters and civilians and preventing further casualties. Mitchell’s family accepted the award on his behalf.
Other finalists for the award included Pakistani National Police Inspector Waseem Ahmad Khan, Winston-Salem Police Officer Luke Alderman, and California Highway Patrol Officer Salvador Acevedo Jr.
In addition to the Officer of the Year Award, the MPD’s Juvenile Investigations Unit received the IACP Leadership in Community Policing Award for its innovative Juvenile Curfew Task Force — a program designed to reduce violent juvenile crime and strengthen connections between police, youth, and families.
The task force identifies at-risk youth through proactive, data-driven approaches and connects them with supportive services rather than punitive measures. The program’s success has made it a national model shared through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Public Safety Partnership.
Mayor Jacob Frey praised the department’s progress, calling the recognition “a reflection of the extraordinary work happening within MPD under Chief O’Hara.”
“Officer Mitchell’s heroism — and the bravery of Officers Kapinos, Withanom, and Kittock — reflects the very best of our city,” Frey said. “And our Juvenile Curfew Task Force shows what’s possible when we invest in young people and build relationships with families.”
Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the honors demonstrate the department’s dual commitment to courage and compassion.
“These awards represent the dedication and selfless service of every member of the MPD,” O’Hara said. “Officer Mitchell was exceptional, but not the exception. His courage — and that of his fellow officers — represents the strength of our department. And our Juvenile Curfew Task Force shows what modern policing looks like: partnership, accountability, and care.”
