The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is accepting nominations for the annual Michael Shanahan Award for Excellence in Public/Private Cooperation.

The IACP's Security Executive Council urges security professionals to nominate businesses and agencies that have shown "exceptional levels of coordination and innovation in partnering between the public and private sectors."

The Michael Shanahan Award recognizes outstanding achievement in the development and implementation of public/private cooperation in public safety. It showcases law enforcement agencies and private organizations that are working together to address difficult challenges. The Security Industry Association (SIA) is the sole corporate sponsor of the award.

The 2009 award winner, the Deerfield (Ill.) Police Department, developed strong ties with several national and global corporations headquartered in and around the northern Chicago suburb, including Walgreens, Takeda Pharmaceuticals (a Security Executive Council member), Discover Financial Services, Motorola, Baxter Healthcare, and many others.

The Deerfield PD was a driving force behind the accomplishments of the Lake-Cook Regional Critical Incident Partnership (LCRCIP), the group through which these regional public- and private-sector organizations collaborate. The Deerfield PD led not only in evangelizing for this program, but in developing forward-thinking public-private initiatives within it.

Sharing your success with the members of the IACP extends the reach of your efforts, giving others an example to follow in tackling issues that can best be solved by private and public agencies working together. Public and private agencies are invited to apply. The application deadline is April 30.