This award is presented to a member of the law enforcement community who has demonstrated exceptional performance in the area of auto theft prevention and investigation. The award is restricted to active law enforcement personnel who are members in good standing of the Western Regional Chapter of IAATI. The award consists of a plaque, payment of registration fee for the yearly Seminar, and a $500.00 cash contribution to assist with the recipient's expenses to attend the Annual Seminar (hotel/travel/etc) where the award will be presented.  The recipient will be determined by a committee comprised of Western Regional Chapter Executive Board members.  Please forward nominations to 2009 IAATI WRC President Rick Greenwood. 

The 2009 nominations for this award will be accepted between July 1 and August 15, 2009.  Please note that the cut-off date for the nominated activity is between June 15, 2008 and June 15, 2009.  The award will be presented at the 2009 Arizona Auto Theft Investigators Association (AATIA) Training Seminar.

The 2008 Award was presented at the 2008 WSATI Training Seminar in Monterey, CA on September 30, 2008.  WSATI Central Chapter President Tom Shephard called IAATI Western Regional Chapter President Skip Davidson up to the podium to present the annual IAATI WRC Lee S. Cole Award.  Skip then invited Lisa Hanks who has continued to keep Lee S. Cole and Associates moving forward since Lee's death.  Lisa spoke about Lee and how the award continues to recognize outstanding officers.  Skip then read the 2008 recipient's nomination and then Skip announced the 2008 Lee S. Cole Award recipient to be Yuma (AZ) Police Department Detective Melissa Norred.