By JIM JENKINS
NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs Department

PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD-Patrolman First Class Bryan J. Cattivera, of the Naval Air Station Patuxent River Police Department, earned the department's Police Officer of the Year award.

Cattivera was also selected by the American Legion as St. Mary's County Police Officer of the Year, in which he competed against members of the Maryland State Police and other agencies. Cattivera also received congressional recognition from U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer; a governor's citation from Gov. Parris Glendening and Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend; a citation from the Maryland Senate presented by state Sen. Roy Dyson; a citation from the Maryland House of Delegates presented by state Rep. John Bohanan Jr.; an award for outstanding service in the community from the St. Mary's County TRIAD/Seniors and Law Enforcement Together group; the Respect for Law Award from the Optimist Clubs of St. Mary's County; and a citation from the St. Mary's County commissioners.

"It makes you feel good," said Cattivera about his long list of awards. "Its nice to be recognized."

A Beaver County, Pa., native, Cattivera has been a police officer for two years and knows the value of training and making a good impression on the citizens he protects. He routinely volunteers to promote a positive image for the agency by going to local schools and activities with McGruff, teaching the children about police officers and their duties.

"I try to get out and interact with the public when I can," he said.

Cattivera spent four years in the Army as an electronic warfare signals intelligence Morse interceptor before earning two associate degrees - one in police technology and the other in criminal justice. Cattivera is also a 1999 graduate of the Beaver County Police Academy. Cattivera learned of the job here through the academy. In his time with the Pax River Police Department, Cattivera has become a field training officer, tactical baton instructor, breath test supervisor and honor guard officer in addition to his regular patrol duties.

"As a police officer, you really have to be committed to what you're doing," Cattivera said. "You can have such an affect on someone's life, positively or negatively, you have to make the right call - sometimes with split second decisions."

The future is wide open for Cattivera. He attends every training opportunity, and hopes to become a criminal investigator. One thing for sure, Cattivera has found the career for him. "This is the most satisfying job I've ever had," he said.

-USN-