Officer Taylor White, City of Tea Police Department, was recognized with the Ken Prorok Traffic Safety Officer of the Year for his professionalism, dedication, and proactive enforcement.
The award is given out by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Highway Safety to recognize the outstanding efforts of a South Dakota law enforcement officer who has made significant impacts on highway safety in their community.
“Taylor exemplifies professionalism through his dedication and proactive enforcement to improve impaired driving and overall traffic safety in his community,” said Rob Weinmeister, Director of the DPS Office of Highway Safety. “His high standards and strong understanding of the importance of saving lives on South Dakota roadways embody the values of Chief Deputy Ken Prorok and this award.”
White serves as a Drug Recognition Expert, Police Service Dog Handler, and Field Training Officer for the City of Tea.
White’s expertise as a Drug Recognition Expert has been instrumental in identifying impaired drivers and removing them from South Dakota’s highways before tragedy can occur.
As a Police Service Dog Handler, White has contributed to numerous successful drug interdictions, locating narcotics that would have otherwise continued to circulate through not only his community but the communities surrounding the City of Tea. His work with his K-9 Suni and his willingness to assist other agencies not only deters drug-related driving offenses but also strengthens interagency collaboration and enhances public trust.
In his role as a Field Training Officer, White places strong emphasis on lawful, ethical, and safety-oriented traffic enforcement, ensuring that each trainee understands the life-saving impact of proactive traffic work. His mentorship style reinforces professionalism and situational awareness, setting a high standard for the department.
SD Department of Public Safety