Rep. Dave Hayes, who represents Camano Island, has been named 2013 Legislator of the Year for the House Republican Caucus by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs, or WACOPS.

An assistant ranking member of the House Public Safety Committee, Hayes is in his first term, serving.

Hayes is also a sergeant with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and a former president and executive board member of WACOPS.

“I believe one of the highest priorities of government must be to protect citizens and keep our streets and neighborhoods safe,” Hayes said.

“WACOPS is made up of men and women in law enforcement who are dedicated to protecting and serving our communities.”

“It is a great honor to be recognized by this statewide group and my peers in law enforcement.”

Island County Commissioner Kelly Emerson, who represents Camano Island and North Whidbey Island, said that the feedback she has received from her constituency about Hayes is positive.

“Since he took office he has been very responsive to our requests,” Emerson said. “I’m very pleased that he’s been honored. Most folks on Camano are really happy with all their representatives.”

Sheriff Mark Brown, who oversees public safety on both Whidbey and Camano Islands, said that Hayes is a “very honest, very straightforward” kind of legislator.

“He brings a common sense approach to the legislative process that I think we need,” Brown said.

“He thinks things through and he’s very genuine and insightful.”

The award was issued during WACOPS’ Winter Membership Meeting last week in Olympia. Hayes was joined by several law enforcement officers from the Camano Island and Stanwood area, including Dave Osman, Jim Phillips, Rich Phillips and Joe Uhrich.

“As a law enforcement officer and former president of the Washington Council of Police and Sheriff’s, representative Hayes understands the interests of our members and is a great advocate of our issues in the Legislature,” said WACOPS President Craig Bulkley.

“This award is to show our appreciation for his work to help law enforcement officers across the state of Washington in their efforts to protect and serve the public.”

In addition to Hayes, WACOPS also recognized Sen. Kirk Pearson of the Senate Republican Caucus, Sen. Jeannie Darnielle of the Senate Democratic Caucus, and Rep. Marcus Riccelli of the House Democratic Caucus.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story failed to mention that Rep. Hayes is a former president and executive board member of WACOPS.