To inspire excellence and dedication in public service, the CNMI Department of Public Safety recognizes the outstanding achievements of police officers, fire fighters, and civilian support staff by awarding a Police Officer, Fire Fighter, and DPS Employee of the Year Awards. These employees are recognized for their outstanding achievement that brings credit to the Department and for their performance which goes well above and beyond what is required of them.  

Police Officer of the Year 2008

The Department of Public Safety would like to commend Police Officer II Andrea Carr Ozawa for receiving the 2008 Police Officer of the Year Award, besting seven other nominations. She is currently assigned to the Domestic Violence Investigative Unit under the Criminal Investigation Division.

Officer Ozawa’s career with DPS began in the Patrol Section.  She later became a traffic investigator under the Traffic Section, where she was involved with investigating car crashes, fatalities, and pedestrian cases. She was also the Chairperson for the Child Restraint and Car Seat Awareness Month and underwent training on traffic crashes and advanced traffic investigation.

After years of actively working in the Traffic Section, Officer Ozawa was assigned in 2004 to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID). Detective Ozawa now oversees the operations of the Domestic and Family Violence Investigation Unit under CID. Professional and meticulous in her work, Officer Ozawa pays special attention to the needs of victims of domestic and family violence, making herself available 24 hours a day. Her investigations in these particular cases have resulted in successful prosecutions.

Through her work in the Department, Officer Ozawa has worked with various governmental agencies and NGO’s, including the Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA), the U.S. DEA, Karidat’s Guma Esperansa, and Connecting Families, Inc. She has also conducted numerous presentations on issues regarding domestic and family violence to OSHA, various government and private agencies, public and private schools, the Northern Marianas College (NMC), and the Department. She has also trained other officers under her program.

Officer Ozawa has been with DPS for almost 11 years.  She joined the Department in December 1997 after graduating Valedictorian from the 15th Police Cycle Academy. She holds an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice.

Congratulations to Officer Ozawa! You have done a great job and remain an example to others for your honorable work in ensuring the safety and protection of not just victims of crime but the people of our Commonwealth.