The University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu Behavior Intervention Team was named the Organization of the Year at the 40th annual TOP COP Hawaii Awards Luncheon, which honors the outstanding men and women of Hawai‘i’s law-enforcement and private-security community who exemplify courage, leadership, and selfless service in keeping our islands safe.
“The efforts and leadership of the UH West O‘ahu Behavior Intervention Team (BIT) serves as the catalyst and model for threat assessment and management team efforts in Hawai‘i — both in the public and private sectors, and has allowed the state to benefit from federal and state funding (over $3.2 million) to continue those efforts through necessary grants,” said award nominator Ed Howard, the Owner & CEO of Pax Bello Security Solutions Hawaii, LLC.
The awards ceremony was Friday, Oct. 17, at the Ala Moana Hotel. The UH West O‘ahu BIT — one of several honorees — was recognized for pioneering proactive behavioral-threat-assessment strategies and promoting campus safety statewide. This year’s celebration recognized organizations and individuals across Hawai‘i’s federal, state, county, and private-security sectors, each nominated for acts of professionalism, bravery, and dedication that go above and beyond the call of duty.
“The UH West O‘ahu BIT has been instrumental in paving the way for other threat assessment and management teams in the state since 2017,” said Bev Baligad, UH West O‘ahu Director of Compliance and Manager/Chair, Behavior Intervention Team. “While our BIT focuses primarily on violence prevention efforts within our campus, those efforts have provided positive ripple effects for communities within our state.”
Established in 1985, TOP COP Hawaii is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public safety by recognizing excellence in law enforcement and private security and by awarding scholarships to students pursuing criminal-justice studies. Now in its 40th year, TOP COP Hawaii continues its mission of unity and gratitude under the motto, “E Pupukahi – We Are One.”