On August. 14  the Mesquite Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association hosted a meeting to celebrate its state awards in the Mesquite City Council Chambers. On hand were Mayor John Monaco, Chief of Police Derek Rohde, Asst. Chief Joel Martin, Captain Steve Callarman, Lt. Bill Hedgpeth, and Officer Cheryl Gregg along with MCPAAA alumni members. The alumni support the Mesquite Police Department in various endeavors, and want to thank them for all their support to allow the organization to volunteer and help out in the community. A special thanks to Officer Don Williams, who with his hard work and dedication won CPA Peace Officer of the Year 2008, Lee Ann Winkler for winning Alumni Member of the Year and The Mesquite Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association for Alumni Organization of the Year. The MCPAAA alumni members volunteer hundreds of hours, which saves the City money and allows uniformed officers more freedom to be on the streets where they are needed most- Making a difference in Mesquite.