On May 8, Officer Benjamin Manuel of the Raleigh Police Department was recognized with the prestigious 2024 MADD North Carolina Officer of the Year Award.
Officer Manuel began his law enforcement career with the Raleigh Police Department in 2022 and currently serves as a patrol officer in Field Operations – North District. Before joining the department, he spent three and a half years on active duty with the United States Army, bringing a strong foundation of discipline and service to his role in public safety.
In just two years of service, Officer Manuel has demonstrated a commitment to proactive policing and community safety. In 2024 alone, he led the department in all traffic enforcement categories — conducting more than 1,000 traffic stops, resulting in 63 Driving While Impaired (DWI) cases, 85 physical arrests, and 418 traffic citations. Notably, these achievements were made while serving in a patrol capacity, not a specialized traffic enforcement unit.
Despite his workload, Officer Manuel maintained impressive general duties as well, responding to 2,636 calls for service, completing 204 written reports, and taking 155 crash reports. Officer Manuel is also committed to professional development. In 2024, he earned his Drug Recognition Expert certification and became a certified Chemical Analyst, both of which enhance his ability to identify and arrest impaired drivers — and support his fellow officers in the field. He is currently attending training to become a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) Instructor, further demonstrating his drive for excellence and leadership.
Officer Manuel is a multi-faceted officer who consistently exceeds expectations in every area of his role. His passion for traffic safety, dedication to continued learning, and relentless pursuit of public safety make him an invaluable asset to the Raleigh Police Department.
We proudly commend Officer Manuel for his exceptional bravery, professionalism, and commitment to protecting our community. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor.