Chief Bill Robbins (third from left) of the Mancelona Police Department has received the Excellence in Service Award for Antrim County. The award, presented by the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM), recognizes Robbins’ work in promoting domestic violence victim safety and offender accountability. Also pictured are (from left) Marcie Bartholomew, Victim/Witness Coordinator, Antrim County Prosecutor’s Office; James Rossiter, Antrim County Prosecuting Attorney; Robbins; and Jamie Moore, WRCNM Counselor/Advocate.

Chief Bill Robbins of the Mancelona Police Department is the recipient of the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) 2015 Excellence in Service Award for Antrim County. The award recognizes law enforcement officers in each of the counties served by the WRCNM who promote domestic violence victim safety and offender accountability.

“It’s an unexpected honor to win this award. I go to work, do my job and on occasions I must intervene in cases of domestic abuse,” said Robbins. “After more than 25 years of marriage, I am perplexed at how someone could be abusive with their spouse. I have often wondered if anyone ever really feels good after being abusive to their spouse, I would hope the answer to that is never ‘yes’.”

Marcie Bartholomew, the Victim/Witness Coordinator with the Antrim County Prosecutor’s Office, had praise for Robbins’ work. “Chief Robbins has been an asset to the Antrim County Prosecutor’s Office. He approaches victims of violence with genuine compassion and kindness. He has been key in the prosecution of many cases with our office. Our community is lucky to have him.”

Jamie Moore, a WRCNM counselor/advocate who works closely with Antrim County law enforcement, said Robbins was selected for the award because he has been a long-standing asset to the community in every aspect of law enforcement including domestic violence. “Chief Robbins has called from the scene of a crime to assure me the victim has been provided all the resources they were eligible for such as our Safe Home, counseling and therapy program. He has provided safety planning in emergency cases and has gone above and beyond in his work with victims to make them feel safe, validated and not judged. This has made all the difference to my clients. His work ethic and victim and community-centered focus help keep our families and communities safe. Chief Robbins represents the very oath he took when becoming an officer and Mancelona is fortunate to have him.”

Those receiving awards were selected by WRCNM counselor/advocates who provide support services and advocacy for domestic abuse survivors and also work in cooperation with law enforcement in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties. Other award honorees for 2015 are: Barb Orban, Charlevoix City Police Department; Detective Josh Gladu, Emmet County Sheriff’s Office; Brenda Nowak, Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office; and Officer Stefan Crane, Gaylord City Police Department.