UAB Police and Public Safety Deputy Chief Zandral WashingtonThe Optimist Club of Birmingham’s West End chapter awarded UAB Police and Public Safety Deputy Chief Zandral Washington the organization’s Respect for Law Program Award, which honors law enforcement practitioners for exemplary job performance and contributions to creating safer communities. Washington was one of eight local law enforcement personnel honored and the only recipient from UAB.
“I was shocked. I am very grateful,” Washington said. “It lets me know I am on the right path — doing what I love and serving the people is making a difference.”
Washington was nominated by a former UAB Police and Public Safety employee for her dedicated service and longevity at UAB: She has served on the force for nearly 25 years, oversees 85% of the agency and is the only female deputy chief at UAB and surrounding agencies, says Norma Stewart, Optimist Club West End treasurer and administrative associate in the Division of Nephrology.
Washington also serves on the Behavior Threat Assessment Management team and other policy and safety committees, and within UABPD creates, updates and revises departmental policies and procedures and maintains accreditation processes with national and international commissions. Additionally, she is a nationally certified Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) instructor and has taught RAD courses at UAB since 1998.
The Optimist Club of Birmingham is an extension of Optimist International, an international service club organization with nearly ,3000 clubs and more than 80,000 members in more than 20 countries. The West End chapter, chartered in Birmingham in 1983, has participated in the Respect for Law Program for 38 years.
