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Nominations Are Open: The 2026 Next Generation of Protectors Award

Last year, we set out to recognize young public safety professionals who were already doing exceptional work—often without anyone outside their own department knowing about it. One of those officers was Autumn Likes, of the Independence Police Department in Ohio.

At the time, Autumn had built her department's first-ever drone program from the ground up—writing the policies, selecting the equipment, and training other pilots—while also serving as a field training officer and teaching women's self-defense classes in her community. She won our first Next Generation of Protectors Award. Not long after, she was named the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame's Young Officer Award recipient, recognized on a national stage for the same qualities we saw in her nomination.

That's exactly what this program is supposed to do: put a spotlight on officers like Autumn who are shaping the next generation of law enforcement.

Nominations for the second annual Next Generation of Protectors Award are officially open.

What we're looking for
This award recognizes public safety professionals under 30—officers, deputies, troopers, and defenders—who are already setting the standard for what this profession looks like at its best. Nominees are judged on service, leadership, compassion, and bravery. Rank and years on the job don't factor in. What matters is the impact someone is already having, this early in their career.

The recognition doesn’t stop there
The winner of the Next Generation of Protectors Award will also be entered into consideration for the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame's Young Officer Award. It's a bigger stage for the kind of work that too often goes unnoticed.

How to nominate someone
Nominating someone takes a few minutes. All we need is their name, their department, their photo, and a few sentences on what makes them stand out. You don't need a polished write-up—just tell us why this person deserves it.

If you're a supervisor, a partner, a family member, or simply someone who's watched a young officer go above and beyond, this is your chance to say so.

Nominate now.

Nominations close October 30th. If you've already got someone in mind, go ahead and submit them here: https://www.galls.com/pages/nomination-2026

Thank you for helping us find this year's Next Generation of Protectors.

Disclaimer: The information in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal, regulatory, safety, or professional advice. Galls, LLC and its affiliates (collectively, the “Company”) distribute public safety and law enforcement products but do not manufacture the items discussed. All product details are based on manufacturer-provided information and have not been independently verified by Galls. We make no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of such information. Readers should consult the respective manufacturer or regulatory authority for the latest details.

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