The Office of Public Safety announced that Special Police Officer (SPO) Matthew Ennis has been selected St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Officer of the Year.
The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, the Department of Aging & Human Services and the Triad/SALT Council celebrated Law Enforcement Officers of the Year from each agency with a ceremony in May.
Officer Ennis started his career with the Office of Public Safety in 2024 as a member of the private security firm hired temporarily as the College transitioned to its new safety model. Ennis continued with St. Mary’s College as one of the first SPOs after the transition. Director of Public Safety Felix Martinez said Ennis embraced the role as SPO with remarkable dedication and enthusiasm.
“Officer Matthew Ennis exemplifies the very best of what we stand for at St. Mary’s College of Maryland Public Safety,” Martinez said. “From his earliest days with us, he has shown unmatched commitment, work ethic and heart.”
Ennis said he was surprised to receive the recognition so early in his time with the College and expressed gratitude to his supervisors for seeing his work ethic and the impact he was creating within the department.
“One thing that I enjoy about being a public safety officer is learning and growing in a different environment,” Ennis said.
Martinez explained that Ennis quickly distinguished himself as an invaluable member of the College's public safety team. “Though not with us for long, Officer Ennis has wasted no time making a lasting impact, establishing himself as one of our most dependable and hardworking team members,” Martinez said, noting that Ennis embodies the department’s core values of “dedication, integrity and service.”
During the May ceremony, Ennis and other agency officers received recognitions from several local and state representatives including the St. Mary’s County Commissioners, Governor Wes Moore, the Maryland Senate and the Maryland House of Delegates.
