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SLCPD Officers Receive NAACP Salt Lake Branch First Responder Award

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake branch of the NAACP awarded Salt Lake City Police Department Lieutenant Mason Givens and Detective Eldon Oliver the NAACP First Responder Award.

“Lieutenant Givens and Detective Oliver have made so many contributions to our police department and community,” said Chief Mike Brown. “They exemplify the spirit of our city, police department, and our department’s core values. They have given so much time to developing innovative policing strategies over the years. Their achievements and vision have, without question, contributed to our strategic efforts of reducing crime and serving our community.”

Detective Oliver started his law enforcement career in 2007 when he joined the Salt Lake City Airport Police Department. In 2012, he came to the Salt Lake City Police Department, where he has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the community he serves. Detective Oliver’s dedication to the Salt Lake City Police Department and the community is evident in his tireless efforts and the positive impact he has made.

For more than five years, Detective Oliver has served as a District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO) for the Pioneer Patrol Division. Detective Oliver goes above and beyond to address our community’s needs and concerns.

“Detective Oliver’s name is synonymous with praise and appreciation within the community, a testament to his outstanding work,” Chief Brown said.

Lieutenant Givens started his law enforcement career in 2007 with the Salt Lake City Police Department. Today, Lieutenant Givens manages the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Police Community Response Team. Because of Lieutenant Givens’ leadership, the department’s PCRT is a highly effective and integral part of Salt Lake City’s response to public safety. The PCRT’s non-traditional first response model required Lieutenant Givens to be innovative and flexible through his approach in the development of the program. He established a training academy and curriculum that has never existed in Salt Lake City.

The PCRT is a public safety first-response model to low-hazard non-emergency police related calls-for-service. The model is an in-person, non-police officer, response to specific calls-for-service. The intent is to augment current police services by diversifying the department’s response model to allow for sworn police officers to be more available for higher priority calls for service.

Lieutenant Givens’ leadership is the reason the department’s PCRT has become so successful. The program required a leader with proven competence in the first-response arena, a sound foundation of effective training methods for responders, an understanding of the administrative processes required to implement a new program, the ability to leverage professional relationships, and the patience and humility to be flexible during the learning process of a new program.

“Lieutenant Givens not only possesses all these qualities, but he effectively used them to build a highly functional team within the police department,” said Chief Mike Brown.

The NAACP First Responders Award is presented to an individual or group of first responders for outstanding community service, actions of valor on or off duty or exemplary law enforcement service.

The Salt Lake City Police Department recognizes NAACP President Jeanetta Williams for her dedication to our community.

A photo from today’s banquet is being released. Media may use this photo with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Photo: Lt. Mason Givens and Det. Eldon Oliver shown in a photo together accepting the 2024 NAACP Salt Lake Branch First Responder Award (SLCPD photo, January 15, 2024).

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