June 3, 2009 > 2008 Officer of the Year 2008 Officer of the Year By Meenu Gupta Karl Fredstrom was named 2008 Officer of the Year by his peers on May 28. He joined the City of Newark as a volunteer Reserve Police Officer in June 2000 and was named Reserve Officer of the Year 2002. He became a full-time Police Officer in Nov 2004 with the Patrol Division and was selected as a Traffic Officer in July 2006. The police department and the community know Fredstrom for his professionalism and positive demeanor. He has conducted numerous traffic accident investigations, provided traffic-related training to fellow officers and to the community, coordinated monthly commercial enforcement activities, voluntarily represented the department at civic functions, and most recently, assisted with the coordination of staff attending the funeral for four slain Oakland Police officers. He has previously received a City of Newark PRIDE Award and the police department's Employee of the Quarter Award. This commendation recognizes his integrity, professionalism, commitment, and leadership.