Lower Merion Officer Honored For Holistic Policing Approach

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — One of Lower Merion's finest was recently honored for her work to bring together social services and police to better serve community members in need.

The National Liberty Museum presented its 15th Awards for Valor.

Among the honorees was Lower Merion Police Officer Madeline Lewis.

Lewis was awarded the museum's Individual Meritorious Community Service award for her work with the department's HUB program.

Launched in March 2019, the program provide additional support when police respond to calls. That support comes from various Montgomery County-based service organizations.

HUB services are activated during calls regarding mental health issues, domestic disturbances, drug overdoses, and other incidents.

"This program allows us to address those issues and assist those individuals and families that are in crisis or at risk of being in crisis in partnership with our community stakeholders," Lewis said.

In its first year, 65 cases were presented for evaluation through the HUB program.

"This resulted in a vast array of needed services to many residents," according to the National Liberty Museum. "The local school district has also been heavily involved by lending assistance and seeking intervention for at risk youth."

The awards honor active duty police officers, police detectives, K-9 units, firefighters & fire police, EMS & EMT, other emergency responders, and law enforcement personnel from the Greater Philadelphia Region for remarkable acts of heroism and for serving as role models in their communities.