The NLLEA’s John W. Britt Community Service Award is given in memory of John Britt, a former Deputy Director for Operations for the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division who died unexpectedly in 1995.  He was a Charter Member and Past President of the NLLEA. This award is given to a non-enforcement organization or agency that has made a significant contribution to the efforts of alcohol or tobacco law enforcement through an innovative and effective program or service.

The 2018 John W. Britt Community Service Award was given to the Vermont Department of Health CounterBalance Campaign.  The CounterBalance Campaign was created to educate parents and raise awareness about how the tobacco industry targets youth with advertising at retail stores.  The campaign uses multiple channels including television, the web, and social media to prevent a next generation of tobacco users.  CounterBalance, through community partners, facilitates an in-depth audit program.  CounterBalance works with Counter Tools, a non-profit provider of proprietary software tools.  In collaboration with the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery, CounterBalance was able to provide a rich data set of potential risk factors present at licensed establishments across the state.  These risk factors can range from presence of outward facing advertisement, to risky inventory such as alcopops and flavored alcohol and tobacco products, and spatial information such as proximity to schools.  The Department of Liquor and Lottery was able to incorporate this data set into a strategic inspection model, which they believe directs education and enforcement resources to areas of the state where they are most needed.  The John W. Britt Community Service Award recognizes the dedication and significant contributions of the Vermont Department of Health CounterBalance Campaign for their efforts to raise awareness and facilitate data collection to influence prevention and policy compliance programs throughout the sate of Vermont.   Chief Skyler Genest, Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery accepted the award on behalf of the Vermont Department of Health CounterBalance Campaign.

The NLLEA’s Award for Innovative Alcohol Law Enforcement Program is given in recognition of effective programs that have produced positive changes in community alcohol-related problems or programs that have resulted in new efficiencies or fiscal saving for liquor law enforcement.

The 2018 NLLEA Innovative Alcohol Law Enforcement Program Award was given to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control Prevention Unit. In 2016, Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, the Arizona Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family and the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety entered into an innovative and collaborative effort to create a prevention unit within the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control focused on reducing underage drinking in Arizona.  The Prevneion Unit has adoped a multifaceted approach to the problem of underage drinking that included assisting with modifying the state's social host law, partnering with community-based coalitions on underage drinking prevention efforts, and training law enforcement officers on Arizona's alcohol laws.  The Innovative Alcohol Law Enforcement Program of the Year award was presented to Deputy Director Mike Rosenberger on behalf of the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control Prevention Unit.

The Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent of the Year Award is given for acts of heroism or bravery, creativity resulting in innovative programs, recognition by peers and/or the local community, or other actions that enhance the image of an agency or law enforcement in general.

The NLLEA awarded the 2018 Agent of the Year to Henry Gill in recognition of his outstanding work in the field of alcohol law enforcement and service to his community. Agent Henry Gill of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis receives outstanding praise from his agency for his valor and heroism in assisting a Washington State Patrol trooper in restraining a suspect with a knife while on a highway.  Officer Gill acted with valor and heroism that undoubtedly resulted in saving the life of a Washington State Patrol Trooper and the suspect he was arresting.  While traveling southbound on I-5 near Tacoma, WA around midnight, Officer Gill observed a trooper chasing a subject on foot.  Officer Gill pulled over to render assistance and observed the trooper on the goround with the subject and could hear him shouting “He has a knife!”  He assisted in trying to subdue the subject but the two officers were unable to disarm or gain total control of the subject.  Sensing imminent injury or possibly death Officer Gill drew his sidearm but was unable to get a clear shot that would not also hit the trooper.  Officer Gill reholstered his weapon and continued assisting the trooper.  During the struggle Officer Gill seized an opportunity to wrench the knife out of the subject’s hand which he threw out of reach.  Officer Gill and the trooper struggled with the subject until additional officers arrived at which time the subject was restrained and taken into custody.  Under an extremely stressful and dangerous situation Officer Gill maintained his composure and demonstrated the highest form of selflessness and service by preventing what could have been a fatal tragedy.  The NLLEA was honored to present to Agent Henry Gill this award for his professional enforcement activities as well as his valor and heroism.

The NLLEA’s Award for Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency of the Year Award is given in recognition of demonstrated agency effectiveness, implementation of innovative programs, community or media recognition or model training programs or practices. The 2018 award recipient, the Washington, DC Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA), has demonstrated all of these strengths over the past year.  ABRA faced a number of unique challenges requiring the agency to implement creative and efficient strategies to maintain a safe, secure and well-regulated environment throughout the nation’s capital as these events unfolded.  ABRA helped ensure the safe and timely October 2017 opening “The District Wharf," a $2 billion development project described as “one of the biggest developments on the East Coast.”  The District Wharf development created an entire new neighborhood along Washington, DC’s Southwest waterfront.  As part of the development project ABRA processed 26 liquor license applications, the single largest number of license applications in a single neighborhood that the comparatively small agency had ever faced.  ABRA also proactively prepared residents and licensees for tens of thousands of celebrators in the city’s busiest streets throughout the Stanley Cup Finals and ensuing parade. ABRA  continued outreach to bars and restaurants through its July Enforcement Initiative, which included regulation of the city's 2018 MLB All-Star Game events and several concurring extended hours programs.  Lastly, ABRA's DC: Double Check 101 program, the 2017 NLLEA Program of the Year winner, had an even more successful 2018 and ABRA's marijuana enforcement efforts this year set a model for inter-agency cooperation.  Chief of Enforcement John Suero accepted the 2018 NLLEA Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency of the Year award on behalf of the Washington, DC Alcoholic Beverage Regularion Administration.