Officer of the Year and Telecommunicate of the Year honored at dinner.
Law Day is a national day of recognition that happens annually on May 1 to commemorate the rule of law in the U.S. and May 15 kicks off National Police Week. Plant City Champions for Youth held their annual Law Appreciation Dinner at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center on Monday. The event honored Jessica Alexander as the 2025 Telecommunicator of the Year, and Vincent Wise as Officer of the Year. Both work for the Plant City Police Department (PCPD). PCPD officers and staff, the honorees’ families, representatives from the Marshall Middle School Gentleman’s Quest program, the Plant City High School Electrical Program, the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center afterschool program, and Champions for Youth members joined together to eat dinner provided by Johnson’s Barbeque.
“They do their jobs to enforce the laws of our community, and to keep its citizens safe, each and every single day—for which we, as a community, are super grateful,” Plant City Champions for Youth President Robert Olszewski said when welcoming people to the dinner. “The men and women of the PCPD put their lives in jeopardy to safeguard our community. Tonight we want to inspire respect for law enforcement among young people….and we want to educate.” David Kinghorn, Director of PC Champions for Youth gave an invocation, then the group stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Guest speaker, PCPD Chief Richard Mills, commented, “Please join me in congratulating Officer Vince Wise on being named Officer of the Year. His dedication and service to our community is truly commendable. Communications Manager Jessica Alexander, is honored as Telecommunicator of the Year. Her work behind the scenes is vital and deeply appreciated….I am going to switch gears and talk to our youth—to our young men and women in attendance tonight. You are the heart of this gathering….You are the reason we came together. You are the reason that we serve. You are the reason we believe in a bright future for Plant City…..Our job in law enforcement isn’t just to protect and serve. It is to support, uplift, and build relationships. It is to be a part of a circle of care that surrounds each of you, and helps guide you toward your best possible future.”
PC Champions for Youth gave their context for this year’s Officer of the Year award. Among other things, “Officer Wise has made a profound impact through mentoring at-risk youth in the Delta One area of Plant City. He has cultivated meaningful relationships with several foster children, including one youth who had previously been prone to running away and experiencing mental health crises. Under Officer Wise’s mentorship, this young person has shown significant improvement, leading to fewer crisis calls and a healthier sense of stability. Officer Wise’s dedication to youth, mental health advocacy, and community trust-building make him a standout example of what it means to serve with heart and integrity. His selflessness, compassion, and professionalism make him more than deserving of this recognition.”
PC Champions for Youth also made their case for the Telecommunicator Award recipient: “Jessica Alexander, a proud Plant City native, has dedicated nearly two decades of her life to public service through her work in emergency communications. In 2006, Jessica began her career with the Plant City Police Department as a Telecommunicator I Dispatcher. From burglaries and domestic violence incidents, to house fires and heart attacks, Jessica quickly learned that dispatching is much more than answering phones—it’s about making split-second decisions, offering reassurance, and providing life-saving directions. She became the steady presence our community needed during its darkest hours. By 2018, Jessica had risen to the position of Manager of the Communications Center. Jessica has worked with Hillsborough County leaders to bring critical advancements to the department, including the implementation of a text-to-911 service, which provides citizens with the ability to text as an alternative way to contact emergency services. She was a key player in the acquisition of a satellite phone system to ensure operational continuity in the event of a disaster such as a hurricane. Her leadership was also instrumental with the acquisition and implementation of a new dispatcher training program, which enhanced the onboarding and training process for new dispatchers.”
Olszewski, and Law Appreciation Chairman Paul Woods, presented both honorees with plaques recognizing their outstanding professionalism and commitment to public service to the community.
Plant City Champions for Youth is a Plant City-based, 501(c)3 non-profit that is hyper-focused on the youth of the Plant City area. The organization is carrying on the rich tradition of the Optimist Club of Plant City, which ceased operations in 2024. Programs and service projects the club participates in include a Teen Talk Speech Contest, Youth Excellence Awards, and selection of Plant City’s Citizen of the Year. Champions for Youth is also very active in its support of youth by working closely with the Plant City Parks & Recreation Department in their youth flag football, basketball, and soccer programs, annual Easter Egg Hunt, Trunk or Treat, and various sport skills competitions.
