ARCADIA - On October 26, 2005, Sergeant Jamie Caldwell will be recognized for his work with the city of Glendora's homeless population when he receives the 2005 "Extra" M.I.L.E.(s). Award at the 14th Annual M.I.L.E.S. Conference. M.I.L.E.S. (Mental Illness and Law Enforcement Systems) is a coalition among the San Gabriel Valley Police Chiefs' Association, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Pacific Clinics, a private non-profit behavioral healthcare agency serving the Greater San Gabriel Valley.
In 2003, Sgt. Caldwell started working with the East San Gabriel Valley Coalition for the Homeless which provides winter shelter at local community churches like St. Dorothy's Catholic Church and the First Christian Church of Glendora.
For Sgt. Caldwell his involvement with the shelters and the people they serve goes beyond the responsibilities of his job. "In my profession I see a lot of people who need help. I think we should give them as much opportunity to make it," stated Caldwell.
Irene Kubo of the East San Gabriel Valley Coalition for the Homeless, explained that Sgt. Caldwell was the catalyst for getting his entire department involved. "Each morning the Glendora Police Department arranges for a bus to take those interested to Labor Ready, a day labor center," she explained. "When the winter shelters are open, he and other officers make frequent appearance at the shelters to develop a friendly non-threatening presence. This enables law enforcement officers to extend a helping hand to those in dire need," she added.
The "Extra" M.I.L.E.(s) award recognizes individuals, teams and/or innovative programs that excel in providing a very important "safety net" of services to people with mental illness.