HOLYOKE - Western Massachusetts police chiefs named Southwick Police Sgt. Kevin A. Bishop as this year's outstanding officer during the annual meeting at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House today.

"It's an honor, it's a great honor to be awarded by the Western Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association. I've been involved with police work for a long time," said Bishop, who started as a reserve police officer 21 year ago and became a full time member of the Southwick Police Department 18 months later.

The annual award, named for the late Richard C. Werenski, a longtime police officer in Holyoke, is presented to an officer who demonstrates good police work and exemplifies devotion to the job, said former Hampden Chief Philip J. Adams, the association's executive director.

Bishop, chosen from among several dozens of the area's departments, became the 10th recipient of the award.

Southwick Police Chief Mark J. Krynicki who nominated Bishop, said he was a fitting selection.

"I nominated him because he is dedicated to the town and the community. He's always willing to do anything and everything that needs to get done and he does it on time and always gets done it right," Southwick Police Chief Mark J. Krynicki said. "He is just a phenomenal employee and the Town of Southwick can be really proud of him."

Another big award of the day was given to Belchertown Police Chief Francis R. Fox, who received the 13th-annual Phil Hano award yesterday from the association.

The Hano award is a recognition plaque given for community service, Adams said.

The award is given "to a chief who is active with the association, supports our community projects and initiatives and gets actively involved with them," he said.

The award came in start contrast to the reprimand Fox got from the Belchertown selectmen last year. In May of 2006, Fox was placed on paid administrative leave as they looked into charges that he profited from a self-defense course he ran. After five months and a public hearing, the board reinstated him as chief, but placed a letter of reprimand in his file.

The chiefs' organization also presented two rocking chairs to former Hatfield Police Chief David M. Hurley and former Wales Police Chief Richard S. Ullery who both retired recently.