"Oscars" of the executive branch

Vienna’s best police officers honored at City Hall

From the left: Group Inspector Uwe Schaffer (Children and Safety), District Inspector Patricia Huber (Victim Protection), District Inspector Paul Jung (Road Safety), Inspector Kerstin Lipp (Newcomer), Chief Inspector Robert Stotz (Lifetime Achievement), District Inspector Kaltrin Murati (Police Officer of the Year), Chief Inspector Michael Hendrich-Szokol (Criminal Police Merit), in front Hero on 4 Paws: District Inspector Philipp Scheifinger with "Bullit"(Bild: Peter Tomschi)

The "Police Oscars" were awarded in six categories and two special genres at Vienna City Hall on Wednesday evening. These included the Police Officer of the Year, who was chosen by almost 70,000 "Krone" readers in an exciting online vote. The award winners are delighted. 

Every year on March 13, the best police officers in Vienna are honored. On Wednesday evening, it was that time again: the top cops were honored in front of 400 guests of honor at a festive gala in Vienna City Hall.

This time, the "Oscars" of the law enforcement agencies were awarded in six categories and two special awards. These included the annual highlight: the Police Officer of the Year, which was chosen by almost 70,000 "Krone" readers in an exciting online vote in February. The coveted trophy went to police inspector Kaltrin Murati (34), who had achieved great success in the fight against smugglers and drug dealers. 

The "Krone" award winner is delighted with his award: Police Inspector Kaltrin Murati (Police Officer of the Year)(Bild: Peter Tomschi)

The uniformed officer from the Stumpergasse police station in Mariahilf was visibly proud and moved when he accepted the award. "Thank you very much! This award means a lot to me. Every one of my colleagues would have deserved it too."

The other award winners were selected by a jury of experts. The winners: Group Inspector Uwe Schaffer (Children and Safety category), District Inspector Patricia Huber (Victim Protection), District Inspector Paul Jung (Road Safety), Inspector Kerstin Lipp (Newcomer), Chief Inspector Robert Stotz (Lifetime Achievement), Chief Inspector Michael Hendrich-Szokol (Special Criminal Police Services) and the Hero on Four Paws: Precinct Inspector Philipp Scheifinger with "Bullit". 

Chief of Police Gerhard Pürstl with his wife, Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner and cathedral priest Toni Faber (from left)(Bild: Peter Tomschi)

Presenter Markus Pohanka with the head of the LPD Vienna press office, Manfred Reinthaler(Bild: Peter Tomschi)

Hero on 4 paws: "Bullit" with master Philipp Scheifinger(Bild: Peter Tomschi)

Best criminalist: Michael Hendrich-Szokol(Bild: Peter Tomschi)

Newcomer: Kerstin Lipp(Bild: Peter Tomschi)

400 guests attended the gala.(Bild: Peter Tomschi)

Good atmosphere at the bar(Bild: Peter Tomschi)

The police music provided entertainment.(Bild: Peter Tomschi)

Back to the well-organized gala. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) and Vienna's Chief of Police Gerhard Pürstl thanked all police officers for their great commitment and emphasized the good cooperation between the federal government and Vienna in security matters.

This year, for example, there are significantly more police students in training in Vienna than last year. SPÖ municipal councillor Christian Hursky conveyed his best wishes from the "patron" of the evening, Mayor Michael Ludwig (who was unable to attend this time).

Congratulations to all the winners. Congratulations to all the winners!