Oakland Police officers receive awards

Several Oakland officers were recognized for their outstanding work during the year. 

Oakland Police Chief Darron Esan presented the awards during the Oakland Town Commission meeting Tuesday, Aug. 12. 

Officer Brienna Fernandez responded to a person overdosing on opioids. With her quick instincts, she administered Narcan, which wasn’t successful at first. 

After obtaining a second dose of Narcan, she again administered it to the individual. The individual survived and was transported to the hospital to receive treatment. 

“Due to her actions, Officer Fernandez likely saved the life of this individual,” Esan said. 

Fernandez was then awarded the OPD’s Life-Saving Award. 

Officers Jason Hayes and Shawn Dozier both received the Achievement Award. 

Together, they have conducted 195 traffic stops, which resulted in 162 verbal warnings and 33 citations. 

Dozier and Hayes also interact with civilians regularly and take on extra responsibilities at the agency. 

“From supporting a child’s lemonade stand to engaging at a local garage sale, these officers continue to carry on the values set forth within Oakland PD’s mission statement,” Esan said. 

Dozier also was awarded the Community Service Award “for his engagement and multiple calls, emails and social media posts from the residents within the town,” Esan added. 

Esan also recognized two officers for their dedication to the force and their duties. Officer Nicole Hall and Cpl. Anthony Edwards received the Accommodation Award for their teamwork. 

Esan said the town experienced a rise in property-related crimes in the early part of the year, and Hall and Edwards got right to work.

Through multiple investigations, the department was able to identify a group of unhoused individuals who were staying within wooded areas along State Road 50 and the town limits, Esan said. 

Hall then created a list of unhoused individuals and created an efficient way of responding to property crimes and assisting in investigations. 

Esan said some unhoused individuals on Hall’s list ended up being the perpetrators. 

“Multiple cases were able to be closed with the assistance and the hard work done by Officer Hall,” Esan said. 

Continuing with the work of Hall, Edwards was able to locate several camps where the suspects were living. 

He then used resources to locate property owners and began working with them to start trespass warning procedures. 

“For their superior initiative in recognizing a problem while working with others to develop a plan to resolve that problem, Cpl. Anthony Edwards and Officer Nicole Hall are awarded the Oakland Police Department’s award of accommodation,” Esan said.

Edwards also was recognized as Officer of the Second Quarter because of his eagerness and initiative in addressing the response to a rise in property-related crimes and the influx of unhoused individuals. 

He also assisted the Winter Garden Police Department in locating a vehicle where the occupant was alleged to have a firearm. 

“Cpl. Edwards has continued to learn and make daily improvements within his new role related to his promotion to corporal,” Esan said. 

Decision Tactical, a local training facility, is offering Edwards a free day of training for his accomplishment of being Officer of the Quarter. 

Finally, Officer Samaria Lake was recognized for her commitment to the staff and students at Oakland Avenue Charter School while providing quality and positive work. Lakes was awarded OPD’s Community Service Award. 

Lake has completed her first year as the School Resource Officer for Oakland Avenue Charter School and has made a significant impact so far. 

“I’ve received multiple calls, emails and letters from parents and staff at the school commending her for her professionalism and ability to have a positive impact of on the lives of the children,” Esan said. 

A teacher of the school sent a letter to Esan about Lake, commenting on her professionalism and how she interacts with the children. 

Esan also recognized Lake for providing safety training for the staff at OACS. Staff learned about emergency responses and evacuation of students if the need arises. 

IN OTHER NEWS: 

• Town Manager Elise Hui was designated administrative authority over plats and replat submittals in accordance to Florida Statutes Section 177.071. Hui also was designated as the town’s emergency contact, with Darron Esan as the alternate emergency contact in accordance to Section 252.38(3)(a) in the Florida Statutes. 

• Mayor Shane Taylor signed a proclamation declaring Friday, Sept. 19, Healthy West Orange Selfie Day. 

• Road woes in Oakland are looking up. Oakland Shores residents are happy with the new mills put down. Commissioner Michael Satterfied said he was impressed with the finished product. 

• Commissioners sent a letter to Oakland’s cemeteries concerning the conditions of them. The owners of the cemeteries said they are private property and each plot is sold as a deed plot. It advises anyone who wants to go and clean headstones to contact families of the deceased directly for permission.