The Peachtree City Police Department has received a prestigious statewide award for its program to arrest predators who target young children online.

The department received the Dr. Curtis McClung award by the Georgia Association of Police Chiefs, which is given for special programs that go above and beyond the normal scope of police work, noted Police Chief James Murray.

The department has a 100 percent conviction rate on its arrests in the program because caution is used to make sure not to entrap any suspects, Murray said. The department is currently undergoing several lengthy investigations of potential suspects, as they are targeting the worst of online predators, the chief added.

Police, tipped off by officers in Seattle, Wash., recently served a warrant on a Peachtree City man, who has not yet been charged, but was conversing online with a 14-year-old girl in Seattle, Murray said. The man’s computer and other evidence was confiscated and a review of the computer files is being conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Murray said.

Murray said it was nice for the department’s work to be recognized, and he credits his employees who have dedicated themselves to the program.

“It’s nice for the people to be recognized for the great job they do,” Murray said.

The award is named after McClung, who played a significant role in making the association the professional organization it is today. In addition to the award, the department also received a $1,000 check from Motorola and the funds will be used to buy necessary hardware and software for the program, Murray said.

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