SPD Officer Receives THSO Child Passenger Safety Instructor of the Year Award

Posted 08-09-23.

City of Sevierville Police Department Lieutenant Rebecca Cowan has been recognized as the Tennessee Highway Safety Office 2023 Child Passenger Safety Instructor of the Year.

In their presentation to Lieutenant Cowan, THSO said the following:

“The instructor of the year this year has been committed to child passenger safety for over twenty (20) years. She began her service as a technician in 2001 and became an instructor in 2011. Since 2011, she has trained and prepared over 600 new CPS technicians to assist the families of Tennessee with lifesaving child passenger safety education, training and support. This individual brings so much energy and enthusiasm to the classroom, inspiring the instructor team and encouraging technician candidates to successfully complete each skill and quiz. She is willing to take on any role in the classroom to overcome hiccups to stay on track and keep the focus on providing the best learning and training experience for the new to be Child Passenger Safety technicians. This instructor has been heard many times saying ‘I just love to teach; it’s going to save a life.’
This year we recognize Lt. Rebecca Cowan as the 2023 Instructor of the year, for her role in the implementation of Child Passenger Safety Certification training courses in Tennessee.”

“Lieutenant Cowan’s passion for child passenger safety is unparalleled,” said SPD Chief Joseph Manning. “Her commitment to doing everything she can to help keep child passengers safe is apparent each and every day. Our department and community are fortunate to have her as a law enforcement supervisor.”

According to THSO, the CPS Instructor of the Year award is “for an individual that, as a leader and advocate, has actively supported child passenger safety, demonstrated by a number of technician hours, the number of individual events at which service has been provided to the community, investment in CPS Certification Course administration and professionalism in the classroom and a showing of passion for service to the public.”