Noblesville Public Safety Director Chad Knecht received the 2020 Stake in the Ground award at last month’s Noblesville Common Council meeting.
Knecht was recognized for his duties in overseeing the Noblesville police and fire departments, managing traditional public safety issues, mental health care and community partnerships.
The Stake in the Ground Award recognizes city employees at the director level who go above and beyond their roles to make Noblesville a better community. Each council member makes a nomination, and then all members vote on the award.
“I’m honored, but I’ve had the easier job as I’ve tried to shepherd the efforts. The men and women in uniform who are out daily serving, protecting and facing the dangers in our community, this truly is a team effort and a team award,” Knecht said. “I’m very proud of them and the work they’ve done and continue to do.”
Knecht began working for Noblesville in 2020 in the newly created position to better assist the city’s growth and rapidly evolving national trends in the public safety challenges.
“Everything has been different in 2020. In the past, I don’t think we would have always needed or thought of what a public safety director would do,” council member Mark Boice said. “Between COVID-19, national rioting and other challenges we have faced, I think all of us in this room and all of us in this community can be very thankful we are safe here in Noblesville, and Chad Knecht has done a phenomenal job keeping us that way and keeping us as COVID-19-free and as safe as we can be.”
