Manitowoc Police Detective Erik Kowalski and five Manitowoc Chaplain Program Volunteers were honored today by the Manitowoc Noon Rotary as Police Officer and Citizen(s) of the year for 2018. Kowalski—a twenty-two- year veteran of the force—is MPD’S Human Trafficking Coordinator. He’s given numerous presentations to help educate and help the community understand the signs on what to look for and communicate effectively the related dangers of human trafficking and prostitution—along with the ability to speak to and earn the trust of victims and suspects involved in the industry. Detective Kowalski has also organized numerous undercover operations resulting in more than 50 ordinance citations being issued, drugs being recovered and detected probation violations. He also assisted in securing a $90 thousand grant with half earmarked for human trafficking enforcement.
Meanwhile, Roger Harrison of Open Bible Baptist, Tom Pankow of Grace Lutheran, Ruthann Ross of St. Francis of Assisi, Matthew Sauer of First Presbyterian and Curt Vandersteldt of Holy Family Memorial are your 2018 Noon Rotary Citizen (s) of the year. Chaplains of all faiths voluntarily work with public safety personnel on a professional level by making themselves immediately available to provide comfort and compassion to assist in times of loss—confusion—depression or grief to people in crisis situations.
Award recipients were honored at the Club luncheon today at the Manitowoc Holiday Inn.
