Brenda Nowak (left) a deputy with the Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office received the Excellence in Service Award for Cheboygan County. The award, presented by the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM), recognizes Nowak’s work in promoting domestic violence victim safety and offender accountability. Pictured presenting the award to Nowak is Elise Tippett, WRCNM Therapist and Counselor/Advocate.

Deputy Brenda Nowak is recipient of the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) 2015 Excellence in Service Award for Cheboygan County. The award recognizes law enforcement officers who promote domestic violence victim safety and offender accountability in each of the five counties served by the WRCNM, including Cheboygan, Emmet, Otsego, Charlevoix and Antrim counties.

Cheboygan County Prosecuting Attorney, Daryl Vizina, stressed the difficulty of domestic violence and sexual assault cases and the importance of an investigating officer’s ability to ensure victims feel safe. “I have had several serious sexual assault and/or domestic violence cases where Brenda was the investigating officer – including two recent high profile sexual assault jury trials. Brenda’s investigation and efforts were top-notch in both cases. However, the thing that impresses me most about Brenda as an officer in these types of cases is how she interacts with victims. The victims respect her and she makes them feel safe. She is as good as any officer in that regard. She is very deserving of this recognition.”

Peggy Mills, Victim Advocate/Witness Coordinator with the Cheboygan County Prosecutor’s Office, said Nowak deserves recognition. “Throughout her career, Brenda has been an adamant supporter of empowering domestic violence victims and advocating for the right and just outcome in Cheboygan County domestic violence cases. She has consistently supported and served to advance public awareness of domestic violence in our community, to educate victims of their right to be safe and to assist them in having a voice. Brenda serves to further the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office mission statement by safeguarding victims’ rights while treating all persons with respect.”

Elise Tippett, a WRCNM therapist and counselor/advocate who works with survivors of domestic abuse had praise for Nowak’s work. “Deputy Nowak is being recognized for her hard work and dedication to working with victims of domestic violence. Her professionalism and thorough reporting assists victims and their families as they enter and proceed through the criminal justice system. Deputy Nowak provides information, support and advocacy to victims and strives to keep them safe.”

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: Chief Bill Robbins, Mancelona Police Department; Barb Orban, Charlevoix City Police Department; Detective Josh Gladu, Emmet County Sheriff’s Office; and Officer Stefan Crane, Gaylord City Police Department.