January 25, 2021
John Piersa (left) and Michael Payne (right)
La Plata Police Department’s Commitment to Excellence – Lieutenant Michael Payne and Police Officer First Class John Piersa were recently recognized along with law enforcement officers from around the State of Maryland by earning the Maryland Highway Traffic Safety Office’s – Traffic Safety Specialist (TSS) Award. LPPD now has six officers who have earned a TSS I Award and two who have earned the TSS II Award.
Lieutenant Michael Payne joins Corporal Tommy Johnston and just a handful of other officers statewide who have earned a TSS II Award.
The TSS program is a statewide recognition of police officers who have attained distinctive levels of experience, training and proficiency in Highway Safety and Traffic Enforcement methods and procedures. The TSS Designation is awarded by the Maryland Police Training & Standards Commission (MPTSC), and the program is open to all police officers, deputy sheriffs and state tr