image description

MSP Tabs McHenry PFC As Trooper Of The Year

June 23rd, 2015 by WCBC Radio

Trooper First Class Scott Bell, assigned to the McHenry Barrack, has been named Maryland State Police 2014 Trooper of the Year.  

Trooper Bell has been a member of the Maryland State Police for four years and is assigned to road patrol duties at the McHenry Barrack in Garrett County.  In 2014, TFC Bell issued 1,284 citations, 691 warnings, and 88 safety equipment repair orders.  He was second in the entire Western Region for traffic stops, with almost 1,900.  His work is credited with significantly contributing to the 17 percent decrease in traffic crashes and the 75 percent decrease in traffic fatalities in Garrett County during the year.   

TFC Bell ranked first at the barrack in adult arrests, juvenile arrests, and warrants served.  He led the barrack in criminal investigations conducted and had an impressive 95 percent closure rate in those investigations.   

Drug enforcement is a priority for TFC Bell.  He made 42 drug arrests, ranking him fifth in the entire Field Operations Bureau and accounting for one-quarter of the barrack’s total drug arrests, helping increase overall drug arrests 26 percent.   He was awarded Barrack Trooper of the Month 11 of 12 times in 2014 and received the criminal enforcement award five times.   

When dispatched to a domestic in progress last summer, TFC Bell became involved in a 20-mile pursuit with the armed suspect that ended in one of the remotest parts of Maryland.  TFC Bell was by himself, but he began a dialog with the suspect, who had fired a rifle from his car.  The composure and professionalism of TFC Bell resulted in the suspect eventually surrendering peacefully.   

TFC Bell is actively involved as an adviser with the local Explorer program and works with Special Olympics Maryland by organizing the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Garrett County and supporting multiple charity events throughout the year.   

Leave a Reply