FBI Milwaukee
Public Affairs Officer Caroline Clancy
(414)-489-3644
February 23, 2016

Northeast Wisconsin Veterans Treatment Court Founder to Receive FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award

Robert J. Shields, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Milwaukee Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has announced the selection of Tom Hinz, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, the founder and director of the Northeast Wisconsin Veterans Treatment Court as the 2015 recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA). Mr. Hinz will be publicly recognized in a special ceremony at the FBI’s National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. for the eighth annual DCLA on Friday, April 15, 2016.

Founded in 2011, the mission of the Veterans Treatment Court is to provide an alternative to military veterans facing criminal charges for an intense period of treatment (minimum of 18 months) in order to maintain sobriety and law-abiding behavior upon completion of the program.

Mr. Hinz realized there was a need for a veterans’ treatment court in northeast Wisconsin due to his prominent role in the community as the former Brown County Sheriff and County Executive. Mr. Hinz is a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and active in several veterans organizations in Green Bay. Mr. Hinz conducted exhaustive research including travel to numerous cities around the country to study existing Veterans Treatment Courts in order to develop a Veterans Treatment Court in Brown County.

The Northeast Wisconsin Veterans Treatment Court has been a lifesaver for veterans coping with challenging issues resulting from their service. The problems include post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, alcohol/substance abuse, and domestic violence. In recognition for his selfless dedication to American military veterans, the 2015 Director’s Community Leadership Award is being presented to Mr. Tom Hinz.

The DCLA is presented annually to an individuals and organizations nationwide. Mr. Hinz will join other honorees nominated by special agents in charge from FBI field offices across the country.

Robert J. Shields, Jr. , Special Agent in Charge of the Milwaukee Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has announced the selection of Tom Hinz, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, the founder and director of the Northeast Wisconsin Veterans Treatment Court as the 2015 recipient of the FBI Directors Community Leadership Award (DCLA).
SAC Robert J. Shields, Jr. presents a DCLA certificate to FBI Milwaukee recipient Tom Hinz of Green Bay, founder and director of the Northeast Wisconsin Veterans Treatment Court. Mr. Hinz will receive the DCLA from FBI Director James B. Comey in Washington, D.C. on April 15, 2016.