City police agent recognized by her peers
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City police Agent Brittany Alexander led an investigation that helped to nab a suspect alleged of trying to kill a pizza delivery driver on Nov. 21. She then investigated an armed robbery at a discount store on Washington Boulevard, which resulted in the arrest of a man accused of the offenses related to the Nov. 25 incident.
Alexander, who has been an agent since August 2019 and is an eight-year police veteran, received Williamsport Bureau of Police's highest honor -- Officer of the Year -- Monday.
Alexander accepted the award from city Police Chief Damon R. Hagan during a ceremony at City Council Chambers in City Hall.
The award, which is typically given annually, had been temporarily halted and recently started back up, Hagan said.
Previously, it was given to Thomas Bortz. The selection is from among one of the four officers who have received the Police Officer of the Quarter awards during the year.
Her immediate supervisor is Capt. Justin Snyder, who also is police information officer.
This year's recipients included: First Quarter -- Police Officer Tyson Minier, Second Quarter -- Police Officer Andrew Stevens, Third Quarter -- Police Officer Nicholas Carrita and Alexander.
"This award process stopped and we wanted to bring it back for a number of years," Hagan said. "This year, we celebrate the achievements of the agent," he said.
When Alexander took over as an agent, that day, the officers were involved in a homicide investigation, Hagan said.
"We were in the midst of a homicide investigation and have been busy ever since," Hagan said.
The caseload was particularly heavy in the fourth quarter, he noted.
Because of the COVID-19 virus, the department changed staffing and operations. As officers were in quarantine Alexander "came to the rescue during those times when nobody was available," Hagan said.
"She did some extraordinary work," he said, adding, the administrators believe some of the best work in the state.
Normally, Alexander works on crimes against children, which is one of the more consistently busy jobs in the department, carrying a heavy caseload.
"She's proven able to do that," Hagan said, adding that in the middle of that responsibility Alexander assisted in and helped to clear a number of violent crimes.
Additionally, Alexander assisted in numerous other violent crimes, working with fellow agents to issue search warrants, conduct interviews and retain a large caseload of crimes against children.