The Odessa Police Department recently named Gilda Jimenez as 2021 Civilian Employee of the Year during an awards ceremony.
What makes Jimenez special, well in short and without hesitation, officers who know her; know she is genuine and has a heart of gold.
Jimenez advocates and supports OPD to its fullest, especially line officers. Her job involves coordinating off-duty work and funeral escorts fairly and equitably. She works with citizens and officers which is no small feat and puts them at ease right away. On top of that, she’s assigned numerous other tasks.
For example, when the department needed Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) during the pandemic, she drove all over and looked for these needed supplies. She also volunteered to sanitize the Patrol Division area, which she continues to do early even before her shift starts.
She continues to go above and beyond by volunteering and attending the Citizen’s Police Academy to learn even more about the Odessa Police Department.
As you might expect, she ensured that everyone was taken care of during the academy and that food and snacks were there. Then, of course, she volunteered to become a Citizens on Patrol member.
