Kent Police officer Eric Doherty recently received the city of Kent Employee of the Year award for 2014.

Doherty, who started with the Kent Police in 2010, serves as an example of what an officer should be.

“He has a well-balanced approach to the job with a high level of motivation to be a positive public role model and a hard charging crime fighter,” says Cmdr. Jarod Kasner. “He provides the Kent community and particularly victims of crimes, exemplary police service, empathy and just plain humanity.”

Doherty keeps his job duties balanced as a role model for kids as part of the Cops in Schools program. He regularly visits Martin Sortun Elementary School.

“While many officers do this as just another part of their job, officer Doherty genuinely enjoys visiting the school,” Kasner says. “He has taken the opportunity to visit at lunch and at recess to spend time with the kids. He was recently recognized at one of their assemblies (by school principal Greg Kroll) for his positive interactions. Officer Doherty attended Kent schools as a child and is excited to participate with the kids to provide them a positive role model and give the kids a sense of security while at school.”

Kasner says in addition to his work as an officer, Doherty stays active with his family.

“He is a well-rounded good human being and the city is fortunate to have such an employee and deservedly earned the city of Kent 2014 Employee of the year,” Kasner says.

City employees chose the top employee from the employees who received employee of the month honors in 2014. Nominations are submitted by any employee,  then a committee of employees chooses the monthly and yearly winners.