Chicago Police Commander Thomas Lemmer received a Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) on September 28 at the Chicago Police Department Headquarters. ISBA President James McCluskey presented the award.

The Law Enforcement Award recognizes sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. 

Commander Lemmer was acknowledged for his part in creating the Chicago Police Department’s Juvenile Intervention and Support Center, which provides intervention and prevention services designed to help youth become successful members of society. The model also reduces the levels and seriousness of juvenile crime and recidivism. 

Since the opening of the center, nearly 70,000 youth have been processed. 

During the past three years, Commander Lemmer has implemented a number of division initiatives that have enhanced the Juvenile Intervention and Support Center, including the development of the Joint Home Visit Initiative, which has increased the participation level of station adjusted youth in intervention programming; the creation of the Criminal Trespass to Vehicle Workshop Juvenile Intervention Program, which works to deter youth from vehicle theft-related incidents, an enhanced screening process; and the Community Risk Response Initiative, which is an outreach effort focusing on juvenile crime.

Commander Lemmer was nominated by Cook County Juvenile Court Presiding Judge Michael Toomin.