The Why Behind the Award

Kate Leese served as an UPSA member for over a decade before her tragic passing in 2021. Over the course of her career, she exemplified what it meant to go beyond checking regulatory boxes, and to instead focus on the positive impact that public safety programs have on people, and on incident and loss prevention. That focus resulted in significant lasting improvements within the industry.

In 2022, the Excellence in Public Safety Kate Leese Memoriam Award was created in Kate’s memory, both to celebrate her unparalleled dedication to public safety, and as a charge to others to meet the bar that Kate set for excellence within the public safety sphere. To that aim, we seek to honor the professionals striving for excellence in Kate’s absence. If that sounds like you, or like someone you know, we encourage you to submit a nomination below.