Police Detective Lauded Before Town Board [VIDEO]

Detective Tina Giles was touted as an inspiration on Thursday night as East Hampton Town Supervisor Bill Wilkinson presented the veteran town police detective with a proclomation at the town board meeting. 

Giles was the department's 2012 Officer of the Year, in large part because of a major sex abuse case she handled. The Southampton Kiwanis Club recognized her at its annual police awards banquet last month. She was also given another top honor, the Howard Stock Memorial Award, becoming the first woman in the 43-year history to receive the award. 

But, this isn't a first for Giles, who has broken barriers close to home. When she joined the department in 1986, she was the first African American female police officer. She later became the first female DARE officer. "Whereas Tina continuing her many firsts — on Jan. 1, 1992 — became the first and only female promoted to the rank of detective," Wilkinson said. 

Giles remains the only female detective and is the department's juvenile aid officer. She is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

"I'm really, really proud of the detective division this year for just a couple of outstanding pieces of police work that should be emulated by any major municipality in the United States," Wilkinson said.