The Moore County Law Enforcement Officers Association (LEO)

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 31, 2020

… is pleased to announce the 2019 “James W. Wise Police Officer of the Year” will be awarded to Robert (Bob) Temme, Southern Pines Chief of Police. Chief Temme was nominated by the members of the LEO Association and on November 21, 2019 the Association’s Board unanimously agreed on bestowing the Award upon the Chief. As is the LEO tradition, the honor was formally presented to Chief Temme during a special ceremony on January 30, 2020.
Richard Maness, current President of the LEO Association, is gratified the membership selected Chief Temme. “I’ve known the Chief for almost a decade, and we couldn’t have a better role model. He never cuts corners, he never skips a step and he never stops asking questions. That’s why he’s one of the best, and that’s why crime statistics keep doing down in Southern Pines.”
“I share this honor with all those who stood with me along the way,” Chief Temme said. “This award is a reflection of our community, family, friends and brave colleagues. They are the true heroes with whom I have had the honor to share this lifelong journey.”

Police Officer of the Year

Chief Temme’s Career

Chief Temme has worked in public safety for nearly his entire career. He spent 21 years with the Stamford (CT) Police Department. There he developed and implemented new Community Policing programs, computerized the collection of crime statistics and held supervisory positions in the Patrol Division, the Detective Division and the Narcotics Division. Temme was named both Stamford’s Police Officer of the Year and the State of Connecticut’s District Exchange Club’s Police Officer of the Year in 1996. Two decades later, his performance and dedication is being recognized again with this Award.
Upon moving to the Sandhills, Chief Temme served as the Manager of the Center for the Prevention of School Violence, an agency within the Department of Juvenile Justice. Temme’s expertise allowed him to focus on pre-incident planning and preventing school violence, along with programs to prevent bullying. In 2009, he joined the Southern Pines Police Department and was selected to be the Chief of Police in 2012.

In addition

…to all his other public service activities, Chief Temme is proud of his work as a firefighter in the Levittown (NY) Volunteer Fire Department. “I joined when I was 14 years old as a ‘cadet’ and served for 34 years,” Chief Temme recalls. “I held a ‘First Class Firefighter’ certification with an Emergency Medical Technician certification, the highest level for a firefighter in New York.” As a result of his long service, he still carries an honorary “Life Membership” in that Department.
He graduated from Nassau Community College with a degree in Criminal Justice, followed by a B.S. degree from the State University of New York, and an M.B.A. from Dowling College. Importantly, Chief Temme is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He still serves as an Assistant Professor of Aviation and Transportation Security at the State University of New York at Farmingdale. He holds a commercial pilots license in addition to all of his police duties.
Local Accomplishments

Bob Temme

… is the ultimate law enforcement professional,” said LEO Vice President Nick Polidori. “His dedication and professionalism far exceeds the criteria for our Officer of the Year. He serves as a great example to all of us, inspiring our members to better serve the people of Moore County.”
Chief Temme is very proud of his accomplishments with the Department. The Southern Pines Police force is the only agency in the County with the “Advanced Accreditation with Excellence” recognition from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). He has worked with town officials to modernize the Department with in-car cameras, cellphone extraction technology, voice stress analysis specialists, new records management/dispatch software, and new evidence tracking software.

Chief Temme

… is a big proponent of managing by the numbers — “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it!” he says — and has pioneered the use the CompStat crime analysis process in Southern Pines. As a result of these efforts, the town has seen a significant decrease in crime, especially organized gang activity and violent crime during his tenure.
Chief Temme recently concluded his third term as president of the LEO Association. Under his leadership, membership nearly doubled and the physical plant/training facility was substantially improved. The Association is on a stronger financial footing after earning the non-profit 501(c)(3) status and improving fund raising efforts such as a “Tribute to Johnny Cash” concert and memorabilia sales. He has fostered improved relationships with local, state and federal law enforcement partners. These improvements give local membership a stronger voice in law enforcement, probation, parole and court matters.
About the Award

The Police Officer of the Year Award

…was established in honor of James Wilson Wise, the Moore County Sheriff from 1981 to 1997 and the Chief of Police for the Pinehurst Police Department before that. The Award is presented annually to the Moore County law enforcement officer who demonstrates true dedication to the citizens of Moore County by going above and beyond the call of duty to better serve the community.
The Moore County Law Enforcement Officers Association was established in 1980. As a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization serving the officers, their families, and the communities these officers protect. The organization is proud of its history of support with the communities the members serve. While police services may appear fractured geographically, they are well-coordinated in Moore County thanks to the efforts of the Law Enforcement Officers Association.

Contact Email: LEO Vice President Nick Polidori at <Polidori@southernpines.net>
Moore County LEO President Richard Maness presenting Chief Bob Temme the 2019 James W. Wise Police Officer of the Year award On January 30, 2020