The City of Piqua is proud to announce that the Piqua Police Department has been named the March 2026 “Agency of the Month” by the Law Enforcement Foundation (LEF) and the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police as part of the “Sharing Ohio’s Best” series.
The recognition highlights the department’s strong commitment to community-oriented policing and its continued investment in programs that build trust, strengthen partnerships and enhance neighborhood safety.
The “Sharing Ohio’s Best” initiative was established by the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and the Law Enforcement Foundation’s Community Relations and Engagement Committee to spotlight innovative and impactful programs from law enforcement agencies across the state. Each month, one agency is selected based on the creativity of its efforts and the measurable impact those programs have within the community.
In a statement issued by the LEF Community Relations and Engagement Committee, the Piqua Police Department was recognized for its dedication to building meaningful police-community relationships.
“The variety of programs they offer clearly shows their desire to build relationships. We congratulate Chief Rick Byron and the members of the Piqua Police Department for their outstanding work,” the committee said.
About the Piqua Police Department Community Relations Programs
The Piqua Police Department focuses on community-oriented policing, building trust through active engagement, and enhancing safety through various initiatives. They foster partnerships with residents, businesses and schools to proactively address crime, as highlighted by Chief Rick Byron.
- Police in the Parks: During the summer months, officers rotate through parks across the city to increase visibility and strengthen relationships in neighborhood gathering spaces. Officers host informal meet-and-greets, answer questions, engage in games and organize activities such as kickball, basketball and flag football to create positive, relaxed interactions with residents of all ages.
- National Night Out: Piqua’s National Night Out is structured as a citywide neighborhood collaboration. Rather than hosting a single large event, block parties are held throughout the community in partnership with local agencies, nonprofits and service providers. These gatherings feature family-friendly activities and provide residents with opportunities to connect directly with officers and community partners in welcoming neighborhood settings.
- Careful Corners: Offered in partnership with Piqua City Schools, Piqua Police Department and Piqua Fire Department, Careful Corners is designed for children entering kindergarten. The program introduces students to school safety topics including street, bicycle, fire, home and bus safety through interactive, age-appropriate activities. The initiative helps foster early trust between families and first responders.
- School Resource Officer Program: The School Resource Officer program, a partnership between the Piqua Police Department and Piqua City Schools, places dedicated officers in district buildings to provide safety, mentorship and daily support. In 2025, the program expanded to ensure one School Resource Officer is assigned to each district building, further strengthening collaboration between law enforcement, students and school staff.
Chief Byron noted that community policing remains a foundational philosophy of the department, emphasizing ongoing engagement and relationship building as essential components of public safety.
To sign up to be notified via email or text message about Piqua Police Department’s community programs, sign up for alerts by visiting piquaoh.gov/notifyme.
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About The Law Enforcement Foundation
The Law Enforcement Foundation (LEF) is a 501(c)3 organization established in 1985 by members of the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP). The mission was created around creating safer communities through the continuing education of law enforcement executives, education to the children of the community through our trained DARE officers, and to educate law enforcement on special topics as trends indicate.
The Law Enforcement Foundation (LEF) is the only entity in Ohio certified to train Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officers where officers are prepared to educate children and parents about drug abuse prevention, internet safety, bullying, decision-making skills and personal responsibility.
The Law Enforcement Foundation is also the only entity to provide a three-tiered, executive-level management training for law enforcement, culminating in a Masters- level certification in law enforcement management.
About Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police
The Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to continuing professionalism and innovation among police executives in order to assure the continued success of the law enforcement community. Established in 1928, the Association is a fully staffed organization, offering a broad range of professional, educational and informational services.
With a mission to enhance the law enforcement profession through strong leadership, innovative programs and exemplary services, the Association’s goals are: to serve its members; to increase the public’s understanding of the role police play in maintaining our quality of community life; and to foster improvements in police education, practice and research.
