Commission Agenda Item No. 3
Presenter: Ross Melinchuk

Action
Consideration to Create a New Award
TPW Commission’s Prosecutor of the Year
January 25, 2018

I.      Executive Summary: Staff will present to the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Commission for consideration the creation of an awards program to formally recognize a courtroom champion for Texas fish, wildlife, and cultural resource conservation. This award will recognize an individual for his or her exemplary efforts to prosecute fish, wildlife, water safety, natural and cultural resource, or other environmental crimes in Texas. The TPW Commission will recognize this prosecutor through an annual TPW Commission’s Prosecutor of the Year Award.

II.     Discussion:  The staff will present an overview of the draft program including background, eligibility, nominations, selection criteria, selection committee, and program schedule.

III.   Recommendation: The staff recommends the TPW Commission adopt the following motion:

"The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorizes the Executive Director and staff to implement the TPW Commission’s Prosecutor of the Year Award."

Attachments – 1

  1. Exhibit A – Award Program Overview

Commission Agenda Item No. 3
Exhibit A

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission's
Prosecutor of the Year Award

Purpose
The Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Commission plans to establish an award program to formally recognize a courtroom champion for Texas fish, wildlife, and cultural resource conservation. This award will recognize an individual for his or her exemplary efforts to prosecute fish, wildlife, water safety, natural and cultural resource, or other environmental crimes in Texas. The Commission will recognize this prosecutor through an annual TPW Commission's Prosecutor of the Year Award.

Eligibility
Any currently seated elected prosecutor or his or her assistant at the county, district, state, or federal level is eligible for the award. Nominations must be based upon the nominee’s contributions made during the previous two calendar years.

Nominations
Nominations may be submitted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Law Enforcement (LE) Regional Directors, TPWD natural resources staff, prosecutors, or other law enforcement personnel. Nominations must be submitted through a TPWD Regional Director no later than May 15th of each year. No more than one nomination will be accepted per TPWD LE region per year.

Selection Criteria
The award recognizes one attorney who exhibits one or more of the following:

  1. exceptional skill and outstanding commitment to protecting Texas’ fish, wildlife, natural and cultural resources;
  2. superior performance in prosecuting wildlife, fisheries, water safety, natural and cultural resource, and environmental crimes;
  3. relentless pursuit of justice for the most egregious violators and keen ability to prosecute complex, controversial, or landmark cases; or
  4. exemplary work promoting and maintaining a collaborative working relationship with TPWD in pursuit of conserving Texas’ natural resources.

Selection Committee
LE Regional Directors will forward nominations to the LE Division Director for review and consideration by the Selection Committee. The Committee shall consist of:

  • TPW Commission Chairman or designee
  • TPWD Executive Director
  • TPWD Chief Operating Officer
  • TPWD General Counsel
  • TPWD Director of Law Enforcement
  • TPWD Designated staff attorney

Award winners will be chosen by majority vote of Selection Committee members. In the event of a tie vote, the Commission Chairman or designee will select the final winner.

Award Announcement
The award will be announced at the August TPW Commission meeting and presented to the recipient during the Texas District and County Attorneys Association (TDCAA) Civil and Criminal Law Update Conference held annually in September.

Schedule

February 1, 2018 Nomination period begins
May 15, 2018 Deadline for submission of nominations
July 15, 2018 Selection Committee decision
August 23, 2018 Announcement of recipient at TPW August Commission Meeting
September 21-23, 2018 Presentation of award at annual TDCAA Civil and Criminal Law Update Conference