Bismarck Police Department hands out awards

The Bismarck Police Department handed out awards to both officers and citizens Wednesday. The ceremony honored officers for distinguished service, lifesaving efforts and the sworn and citizen employees of the year.

Several others were also honored, including Ricky Anderson, who won the Meritorious Citizen Award.

"We as civilians, if we don't assist our law enforcement they're going to fail. They need that assistance, they need us to let them know that this is happening or has happened,” Anderson said.

Six other civilians were also given a certificate of appreciation.