FOUNTAIN VALLEY : DARE Officer Earns Top Police Honor

Michael Becker’s colleagues “dared” to pick him as the city’s police Officer of the Year.

Senior Officer Becker, a 17-year veteran of the department, recently received the top honor for his professionalism and his work as the city’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officer.

Becker, 41, of Lake Forest, is the city’s first--and only--DARE officer.

He has worked narcotics, as a canine officer and in a field training position. Becker gave up the traditional role because he said he wanted to teach children about the dangers of using drugs.

“I think that the information we can teach them as an officer is helpful to them, and I think we are a positive role model for young people,” he said.

Since 1990, Becker has taught the 17-week drug education and awareness program to students in fifth and seventh grades.

The program teaches youths how to resist peer pressure to use drugs, how to build self-esteem and how to make positive choices in life.

In that period, Becker has taught the program to about 2,500 students at 11 elementary and middle schools.

He said he likes what he does because it is “99% positive; that’s why I enjoy it.”

“Besides that, it touches my heart, it’s knowing that the young people are receptive and enthused about what I’m doing,” he said.

“It’s refreshing to see how they respond to what I’m teaching them,” Becker said, “and knowing that someday, I believe, it’s going to help them.”

Becker, who wears his police uniform on campus, said his role as teacher goes beyond the classroom.

“Part of this program is to let them see a police officer in a positive view, because sometimes they think all we do is make arrests and give tickets,” Becker said. “But I’m approachable.”

Once, while in his role as DARE officer on a playground, he saved the life of a 9-year-old girl who was choking on a jawbreaker.

“I felt a tug on my arm, and when I looked, she had her hand on her throat and was choking,” he said. He performed the Heimlich maneuver and saved the girl’s life.

Becker, who has an 11-year-old son, said he also takes his students to special events, such as baseball games or mountain outings.

And he will drive students home after school in his shiny black DARE car so he can meet their parents.

He said he is thrilled to get the award.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Becker said. “It means that it’s great to be recognized by your peers.”

Police Chief Elvin G. Miali said it’s an honor to even be nominated by the police force’s 62 officers.

“He’s deserving of it, and he’s one of the most dedicated officers,” Miali said.