Mayor Tim Hurley began the program by acknowledging the club’s annual involvement with the Police and Fire departments with these awards as well as the many other projects the club has completed around the city.  Tom Jennings, Waterloo Police Chief and Exchangite, came to the podium to tell us more about Officer Camarata.  He began by tracing the club’s involvement with this program back to 1974.

Chief Jennings went on to ex-plain Officer Camarata’s background and career in the department.  A Waterloo native, Officer Camarata earned an associate degree from Hawkeye Community College and attended UNI.  He was working in Minnesota as a youth director when he became interested in law enforcement.  He returned to Waterloo and joined the Police Department in 1977.  Officer Camarata has been a field training officer and crime scene investigator.  He has been assigned to the investigations division for 3 1/2 years and is a member of the departments tactical unit and bomb squad.  Chief Jennings described Rob as on of the officers that new hires frequently seek out for advice.  Tom also described Officer Camarata as “always there—always available.”  Chief Jennings presented Officer Camarata with a plaque and a certificate for a weekend get-away in Dubuque.

Then it was Officer Camarata’s turn.  He thanked the club for the award, but said it felt strange to be singled out since police work is, in his view, “all about teamwork.”  He went on to say that he was attracted to law enforcement because “it’s all about dealing with people”.  He likes dealing with people and interacting with them.

Officer Camarata’s wife, Chris, and his parents, Bob and Kathy, were on hand to enjoy the moment with him.