Learning Without a Badge 2026 Awards

Emily Meadows

Innovation in Action Award

The Innovation in Action Award recognized a professional staff leader or team that translated a strong idea into real-world implementation with measurable impact. This year, the award was presented to Emily Meadows, Public Safety Portfolio Manager at the Anne Arundel County Police Department, for leading the design and launch of the agency’s Real-Time Information Center (RTIC). Her work transformed siloed information into a unified operational intelligence hub that supported hundreds of incidents and strengthened response, coordination, and decision-making. Emily’s leadership reflected the very best of innovation in public safety: practical, proven, and results-driven.

West Coast University Safety & Security Team

Operational Excellence Award

The Operational Excellence Award recognized a professional staff leader or team that improved the systems, processes, and daily operations that help public safety agencies perform effectively and sustainably. This year’s award was presented to the West Coast University Safety & Security Team for creating and implementing a 24/7 Global Security Operations Center serving 11 campuses across California, Texas, and Florida. Their work transformed a decentralized security model into a coordinated, enterprise-wide operation with stronger after-hours coverage, more consistent incident response, and greater institutional resilience. The team’s achievement demonstrated the powerful impact of operational leadership behind the scenes. 

Mike Milstein

Leader on the Rise Award

The Leader on the Rise Award recognized an emerging leader already making an exceptional impact in public safety. This year, the award was presented to Mike Milstein, Deputy Director at the Chicago Police Department, for his thoughtful and forward-looking leadership in advancing equity, accountability, and community trust. Through major policy reform efforts and the launch of CPD’s Office of Equity and Engagement, Mike demonstrated a strong ability to lead through complexity while keeping people at the center of the work. His contributions reflected the kind of principled leadership shaping the future of the field.

Elizabeth Daitz

Pathmaker Award

The Pathmaker Award recognized a leader who consistently created opportunities for others through mentorship, advocacy, and example. This year’s award was presented to Elizabeth Daitz, Assistant Commissioner of Police at the Suffolk County Police Department, for a career defined by both strategic leadership and deep investment in people. Through her mentorship and support, she helped open doors, guide careers, and expand what was possible for professional staff leaders in public safety. Elizabeth’s impact was felt not only in her own work, but in the success of those she helped lead forward.

Dr. Cecile Houry

Quiet Impact Award

The Quiet Impact Award recognized someone whose behind-the-scenes work made an essential and outsized difference. This year, the award was presented to Dr. Cecile Houry, Grants Manager at the Miami Beach Police Department, for her exceptional leadership in grants management, policy support, and community-focused initiatives. In addition to overseeing the department’s grant activity, she played a key role in advancing important programs and supporting complex organizational priorities with consistency and care. Her work may have happened out of the spotlight, but its impact was felt throughout the department and community.

Arif Alikhan

Leading Without a Badge Impact Award

The Leading Without a Badge Impact Award recognized a standout professional staff leader whose sustained work over many years materially improved public safety outcomes and elevated civilian leadership. This year’s award was presented to Arif Alikhan, retired Director of the Office of Constitutional Policing and Policy at the Los Angeles Police Department, for his decades of leadership in policy, governance, and institutional reform. As a trusted advisor and pioneering civilian executive, he helped strengthen constitutional policing and demonstrated the critical role professional staff can play at the highest levels of public safety leadership. His career stood as a lasting example of vision, service, and impact without a badge.

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