DPD Officer John Suitt Is Recipient Of National PAL Recognition

DURHAM, NC – Durham Police Department’s Officer John Suitt has been named the December 2019 Inspirational Law Enforcement Officer Honoree by the

National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues, Inc. (National PAL). The award recognizes individuals in the National PAL network who inspire their colleagues and friends and are steadfast in their service to their communities. Suitt was selected from a nationwide search of all National PAL members. As an Inspirational Award recipient, he is now a candidate for the 2020 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, which will be announced at National PAL’s 76th Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA, April 13-17, 2020.

National PAL’s award announcement stated: “Within his many duties as an officer, Suitt serves as a mentor for the PAL golf, baseball, Police Explorers, and SRO Camp programs. Furthermore, he coordinates the Durham PAL basketball program to improve athletic, academic, and social skills, by hosting tournaments, tutoring, and planning cultural field trips. More remarkably, Officer Suitt took the time to reach out to each mentees’ parents/guardians individually to learn more about the youth to create a program that meets their specific needs.”  

Officer Suitt has been employed with the Durham Police Department since February 1999 and was sworn-in as an officer in April 1999. Prior to joining the PAL Unit of the Community Services Division, Suitt’s former assignments included Uniform Patrol, Criminal Investigations and Crime Prevention’s former Hispanic Outreach and Intervention Strategy Team (HOIST).