Submitted by Washington State Department of Corrections
Ten state corrections employees working in Pierce County have received Annual Agency Awards from the Washington State Department of Corrections.
The awards recognize employees for their continuous, outstanding work to improve public safety by positively changing lives as demonstrated by their accomplishments throughout the previous year.
“Each award recipient serves as a role model for their dedication and service to the department,” said Secretary Stephen Sinclair. “It’s a pleasure to be able to recognize our employees who go above and beyond to keep our communities and facilities safe.”
Each year, staff members are nominated for the awards by their colleagues. A total of 169 DOC employees across the state received agency awards out of a pool of 930 nominations.
Due to the governor’s Stay home – Stay Healthy Order in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the department has postponed its regular Agency Awards ceremony normally held in April. Corrections plan to recognize employees in a formal ceremony at a later date.
Two employees work at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor. The Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor is a minimum, medium and close custody-level prison with a capacity of 738 female inmates. The others work among the department’s field offices, community justice centers and work releases.
The following awards were given to corrections employees who work in Pierce County:
- Leadership: Richard Hendricks, Community Corrections Supervisor, Pierce County Court Unit
- Community Corrections Officer of the Year: Anthony Branchini, Community Corrections Officer, Pierce County Special Needs Unit
- Correctional Officer of the Year: Brian Tainatongo, Corrections Officer, Washington Corrections Center for Women
- Community Partnership:
- Kim Beckham, Corrections Specialist, Graduated Reentry Unit
- Nanette Borders, Community Corrections Officer, Pierce County Resource Unit, Tacoma Community Justice Center
- Excellence in Service: John Poore, Community Corrections Officer, Puyallup Rainier Unit
- Innovation Award:
- Isaiah Garrison, Community Corrections Officer, Pierce County Gang Unit
- Darlene Gomez, Correctional Records Supervisor, Office of the Deputy Secretary, Statewide Records Office Tacoma
- Team Excellence
(Incident Management Team):
- Randi Burke, Community Corrections Supervisor, Southeast Pierce Field Unit
- Susan Jordan, Corrections Officer, Washington Corrections Center for Women
Award Descriptions
Correctional Officer/Community Corrections Officer of the Year
Presented to an officer whose performance goes above and beyond normal requirements and who demonstrates their commitment to the department’s goals and mission. This officer maintains a positive attitude, provides sound decision making, and a strong commitment to teamwork. They are an effective communicator, treating others with dignity, fairness, and respect. They are a positive role model and maintains professionalism at all times.
Community Partnership
Presented to an employee who understands the importance of partnering and collaborating with the community. Promotes DOC’s vision and mission working with external partners to assist in a successful transition back into the community, for individuals under the jurisdiction of the department. This may include education and/or trainings.
Leadership
Presented to an employee who exhibits exceptional leadership qualities and provides a clear vision of what success looks like and how to achieve it. They strive for a safe and healthy environment for staff and/or individuals. They provide optimism and demonstrate integrity and have the ambition to succeed with the courage to take actions as needed. Understands the importance of delegating to promote employee growth and motivate the workforce and is seen as a reliable leader.
Excellence in Service
Presented to an employee who values the importance of building and maintaining relationships, both internally and externally, and conducts business in a professional manner. Demonstrates open, honest, effective communication skills by being inclusive and embraces diversity and respect.
Innovation
Presented to an employee who thinks outside of the box and has developed creative ways of doing business to drive the organization forward. When presented with a problem or challenge, they question existing assumptions and beliefs to produce suggestions and solutions for process improvement. Approaches innovation with a practical, task-oriented mindset.
Team Excellence
Presented to a group of employees for incomparable teamwork. They have outstanding performance results due to group achievement and promote the spirit of working together. Recognized for superior work ethic and reinforcing the collaboration and partnership necessary to achieve agency goals. Cohesiveness is articulated and demonstrated by example
More information about the awards is available at http://www.doc.wa.gov/about/employees/awards.htm.
