Grand Forks Police Department Chief Mark Nelson has been named the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) 2020 Peacemaker Award recipient. The award, which CVIC announces annually, honors a local citizen who demonstrates outstanding commitment to ending violence in Greater Grand Forks. Nelson was one of the first stakeholders to support implementation of CVIC programs that impact officer responses to domestic violence and sexual assaults.
“There’s commitment from day one (in the police department) to understanding how domestic violence impacts our community and how it’s not a standalone issue. Building that understanding has made us better as a department,” Nelson said. At national meetings with peers, the one program frequently discussed is CVIC and the strong collaboration between it and the police department, Nelson said. “I humbly accept this on behalf of my staff,” he said.
Nelson’s recognition was announced Tuesday, Oct. 20 as part of CVIC at UND’s Take Back the Night rally, an awareness event held as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year’s event was held virtually and is available to watch online at cviconline.org.
“Leadership matters and Chief Nelson’s leadership and his team’s commitment to our mission are unmatched,” said CVIC President/CEO Coiya Tompkins. “We’re incredibly grateful for Chief’s dedication and his team’s expertise, which enables more victims to reach vital safety and healing services sooner.”
Photo: Representing CVIC in presenting the 2020 Peacemaker Award to Chief Mark Nelson are Laura Nash Frisch, Kari Kerr, Therese Hugg, Pete Hoistad, and Jennifer Albert.