Sunrise Rotary Reimburses Officer Guyer under KOPS Program

The Rotary Club of Marco Island Sunrise reimbursed Officer George Guyer of Marco Island Police Department funds he spent to purchase a new bicycle for a student under its KOPS program. The Club’s KOPS Chairman, Bill Morris, presented a check at its recent breakfast meeting.

Officer Guyer is the assigned school resource officer at Tommie Barfield Elementary School. Officer Guyer became aware that a bicycle was stolen from a student. The bicycle was the child’s transportation to and from school. From his own pocket, Officer Guyer bought the child a replacement bicycle.

KOPS is an acronym for Kindness On Patrol Service. Under the KOPS program, Marco Police Officers, Community Service Officers, Reserve Officers and Auxiliary are reimbursed when they personally pay for something to meet an immediate need of a Marco Islander. If a Marco officer finds someone in need, the officer is authorized to purchase needed items and request reimbursement through the KOPS program administrator, Attorney William G. Morris. Officer Gray saw a need and took action to ensure that the recipient received needed food. Officers may not provide cash or cash equivalent to a recipient but can meet an immediate need. 

Requests for reimbursement under the KOPS program are submitted to a shift supervisor for signature and transmittal to Sunrise Rotary. Discretion is given to the officers as to meeting an immediate need and approval for reimbursement is as close to automatic as possible. 

The KOPS program is complementary to Chief Frazzano’s “Better Together” program and her efforts to make Marco Island Police a more integral part of the community. Chairman Morris stated, “It is an honor to support our police officers. Officer Gray is a stellar example of the concern our police have for our community.” 

For further information about the KOPS program, please contact Bill Morris at wgm@wgmorrislaw.com.

For more information about the Sunrise Rotary and its activities please visit the Rotary Club of Marco Island Sunrise website at www.marcosunriserotary.com.