The Law Enforcement Partner of the Year is someone who is more than an exemplary member of their department, but a true partner with the retail community to make a difference, and an impact, on retail crime.  They go above and beyond to support the fight against shoplifting, ORC and fraud.    They are making a positive impact in the lives of others and leading by example, whether through successful times, times of change, or times of adversity.

The Law Enforcement Partner of the Year category is intended to recognize outstanding performance by an individual, or department, from the Law Enforcement community, worthy of recognition during a specific year. To be eligible for nomination, the Law Enforcement Partner must currently be, or must have been, in the role for which they are being nominated, for some or all of the calendar year of nomination. Individuals must be nominated by someone other than themselves.

Here's what people are saying about Cynthia:
Cindy Kozerow’s dedication to the Central Virginia Loss Prevention Task Force (LPTF) has made her an invaluable leader in the fight against retail crime. Through her leadership, coordination, and commitment to collaboration, she has significantly strengthened communication between law enforcement and retailers, making her the ideal choice for Law Enforcement Partner of the Year. As a founding member of the LPTF, Kozerow plays a vital role in its success. She facilitates monthly meetings that bring together law enforcement agencies from the City of Lynchburg, Amherst, Bedford, and Campbell counties, along with the Lynchburg Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney and regional retail partners. These meetings are a critical forum for exchanging information, identifying crime trends, and strategizing responses to theft and fraud. Her ability to foster open communication ensures all members remain informed about emerging threats and best practices for prevention. Kozerow’s greatest strength is her ability to connect the dots in complex retail crime cases. By coordinating information exchanges between law enforcement and retailers, she has helped identify suspects involved in organized theft operations, leading to successful apprehensions and prosecutions. She has also streamlined the reporting process by advocating for digital reporting of lesser crimes. Additionally, she ensures task force members stay up to date on relevant laws and crime prevention techniques, allowing them to adapt to evolving challenges. Her training in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) further enhances her ability to provide effective crime prevention strategies to both law enforcement and businesses. Her efforts have drawn attention from the Virginia Attorney General’s Office and local and state legislators, bringing critical resources to combat retail theft. By strengthening collaboration between law enforcement and businesses, Kozerow has made a lasting impact. Her tireless work and dedication to the mission of the LPTF make her a deserving recipient of the Law Enforcement Partner of the Year award.  

Here's what people are saying about James:
Lt. Fox has served in various law enforcement roles over the past two decades, including patrol officer, undercover narcotics enforcement agent, detective, K9 officer, digital forensics technician, ICAC investigator, and peer team member. He is currently the CID Commander, overseeing the police department’s investigative resources and K9 officers. Lt. Fox exemplifies true leadership. He consistently dedicates both his working and non-working days to the community. He can often be seen mowing the grass of his neighbors, simply because it needed to be done. He helps elderly residents take their trash out to the curb and brings it back in, alleviating their stress. He ensures that any officer on duty stops at every lemonade stand set up by children in the city. He also goes out of his way to provide financial assistance to individuals in need. He is continually sought after within our department for guidance, education, and training. Lt. Fox believes in helping others quietly, as he feels that assistance should be provided because it is the right thing to do, not for the sake of receiving praise. Time and again, he has uplifted and nominated his fellow officers for awards, even when he is more deserving. In the Winter 2021 issue of FBI-LEEDA Insighter, an article written by Lt. Fox on leadership featured the quote, “Permit them to blaze their own path with the values and morals you have instilled in them.” His writing reflects his leadership style within the Poquoson Police Department. Lt. Fox is more than just a leader; he is an outstanding example of what it means to be both a law enforcement officer and a civilian. Lt. Fox and his wife, Alison, have three children, two dogs, and a cat. Alison is also in law enforcement, deeply involved in ICAC-related investigations, and providing peer support for Newport News PD. Together, they founded the Poquoson Police Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in 2019 to fund critical safety programs within the community. Lt. Fox holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Behavioral Studies.  

Here's what people are saying about JD:
…….In 2024, Detective Darrehshoori identified, initiated and spearheaded one of the largest Organized Retail Crime investigations in history. His hard work, keen ability to organize and develop evidence, and his gift for bringing together partners from across the law enforcement & retail space has resulted in an investigation that will reshape the ORC landscape in retail for years, if not decades, to come. Several retail partners have come together to submit a nomination in honor of Detective Darrehshoori's hard work and outstanding performance, and it is my hope that this submission contributes to this collection of respect and appreciation for the difference he has made, and continues to make, with this massive undertaking. It takes someone truly special to move this investigation forward and Detective Darrehshoori has proven to be that person.

…….JD is one of the most talented and dedicated Detectives that our organization has ever worked with. JD goes above and beyond when it comes to combating ORC activity. He has made himself available day or night when it comes to supporting retailers in identifying, prosecuting, and educating law enforcement partners across the state and across the nation when it comes to prosecuting ORC groups. JD is a Detective that leads by example and is hands down, one of the best investigators we have ever worked with.

…….JD is incredibly deserving of this recognition. His unwavering dedication and the countless hours he continues to invest in the ongoing Operation Free Shipping investigation have already had a significant impact on retailers and multiple states. JD has identified a large number of suspects and key players, helping to uncover a complex and far-reaching criminal network. While the investigation is still underway, his efforts have already revealed major financial implications and have laid the groundwork for meaningful disruption of organized retail crime.

…….I am submitting the following submission on behalf of Detective Darrehshoori and his ongoing efforts on behalf of multiple retailers across the United States and for his tireless work on Operation "Free Shipping". JD is a advocate for ORC and investigative efforts for retailers and his partnership to not go unnoticed. While many details of the current investigation are still under investigation, the overall results will be unmatched from an investigative component and case perspective.

……. JD has always been an amazing partner in any investigation. This year JD lead an investigation worth several million dollars in coordination with dozens of retailers and federal law enforcement. JD goes the extra mile in every single investigation but especially in this one. I appreciate all that JD does for the retailers and the community as a whole. There is no one more deserving of this award.
 
…….JD was instrumental in the planning and execution of operation free shipping. He coordinated efforts between multiple agencies and retailers to intercept and recover hundreds of thousands of $ worth of stolen merchandise. He continues his efforts to this day. This was a LOT of intel and evidence to sort through and organize.

…….Det. Darrehshoori is a lion in the jungle that is ORC! In 2022, during HSI’s major pivot into more aggressively targeting ORC with Operation Boiling Point, I met an unassuming cop at a small police department outside Houston in the town of Katy, TX. What I didn’t know was that this police agency employed one of the greatest and most passionate investigators I’d ever worked alongside, Det. Joseph “JD” Darrehshoori. During the years since we met, Det. Darrehshoori has led many successful mall blitz operations with public and private sector organizations, conducted simultaneous small and large-scale investigations into ORC-related criminal organizations, and developed his own detailed training program to provide a knowledge base of ORC to new police officers hitting the streets. I’ve witnessed him utilize his networking skills and investigative abilities to arrest, indict, and seize the assets of, numerous criminals within domestic and transnational criminal organizations victimizing his local community as well as communities throughout the U.S. In other words, I’ve witnessed a man with limited resources and jurisdiction go far beyond and above what was expected because he cares about these crimes and the people they impact. As someone who remains passionate about ORC, I humbly request Det. Joseph “JD” Darrehshoori be considered for Investigator of the Year.  
 
…….On behalf of Gap Inc., the retail community and the law abiding citizen's of the United States, I would like to nominate Katy PD Detective Joseph JD Darrehshoori for the work he does everyday to make our country a better and safer place to live. I have worked as an ORC Manager for 23 years for Gap Inc. and I can honestly say JD is the truly in a class of his own. The current on-going Investigation, "Operation Free Shipping" formally "Laredo Investigation" that he began from a traffic stop and is still diligently working on, is by far the largest International Retail Theft Investigation I have ever seen or heard about. His work has uncovered/proven what Investigators and myself have hypothesized but could never prove, the nexus to International Criminal Organizations, Money Laundering and Human Trafficking. Thank you for your consideration

…….Detective Darrehshoori was the mastermind in bringing this operation from the state to the federal government. He was the one that started this with a regular $900.00 ORT and turned this into a major federal investigation spanning across the United States and abroad.