The Magnolia Police Department (MPD) earned Municipality of the Year from the Montgomery County Vehicular Crimes Task Force.

The award was presented to Police Chief Domingo Ibarra at the First Annual Vehicular Crimes Task Force Ceremony held on Feb. 11 at the Lone Star Convention Center in Conroe.

Ibarra has been with MPD for just over a year and said that receiving the award is “fantastic” and “very humbling” for the department.

Montgomery County Vehicular Crimes Unit Chief Warren Diepraam said the task force discussed each department’s contributions and efforts on traffic safety and recognized individuals, agencies and groups that did well enforcing traffic safety, DWI and fatal crash investigations.

“They (MPD) are definitely deserving of recognition,” Diepraam said.

Diepraam said that it was brought to his attention that during the Texas Renaissance Festival, DWI’s were prevalent in the area. He contacted Ibarra and asked if he would volunteer the police department offices during the No Refusal program.

“The chief went above and beyond the call of duty,” Diepraam said.

Ibarra opened up the facility to prosecutors and nurses in order for blood alcohol content tests to be administered.

In addition, MPD volunteered to conduct DWI stops to help the District Attorney’s office in its efforts during the No Refusal program.

According to Diepraam, MPD had the third largest record of DWI citations in the county. Just ahead of MPD was the Conroe Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety.

As one of the smallest departments in the county, Diepraam said that MPD was “above reproach” in its response to DWI crimes.

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