South Salt Lake Police Department Detective Neile Hill was recently recognized by Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill and his office for his work in keeping/preventing a convicted felon and documented gang member from purchasing a gun. In February, Hill was awarded the District Attorney’s Outstanding Screening Award for his “exceptional and thorough police work” during the investigation of this incident.

During the investigation Hill put together video surveillance of the attempted purchase and compared it to known photos of the gang member. He also provided paperwork from a federal agency that showed why the man was restricted from purchasing the weapon and provided a detailed explanation of the alleged crime.

Gill praised Hill’s work in a letter he wrote to SSL Police Chief Danielle Croyle notifying her of the award.

“Detective Hill’s diligence not only allowed us to charge the suspect for attempting to purchase a firearm but assisted us in filing the case quickly upon receiving it with full confidence that we can obtain a conviction,” he wrote. “Our screening team was very impressed with the work done on a case that some may treat as trivial. Most importantly, it showed his dedication to hard work on every case and will allow us to continue to keep a firearm out of a documented gang member’s hands.”

“We rely on our law enforcement partners to send us the most thorough and comprehensive cases that they can,” Gill said in a press release. “This ensures that when a crime occurs in our community, we have the ability to prosecute and repair the harms committed. Our community is safer because of the efforts of Detective Hill. We are appreciative of the efforts of our colleague at the South Salt Lake City Police Department.”

Hill has been with the South Salt Lake Police Department Detective Bureau since 2008. Prior to that he was a patrol officer with the Draper City Police Department for two years, following six years at the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office where he worked as a protections officer for four years and a corrections officer for two years. In 2009, he received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Criminal Law and a minor in Psychology from Weber State University. 

“Detective Hill has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication in managing cases, conducting thorough and complete investigations, and ensuring meticulous DA screening. He has a strong sense of responsibility to the community he serves. His professionalism and attention to detail consistently contribute to successful outcomes, earning the trust and respect of both colleagues and the public. We are honored to have Detective Hill as an intricate part of the South Salt Lake Police Detective Bureau,” Croyle said. 

Intergovernmental Liaison Nicholas Pensari also commended Hill in a press release about the award.

“Work like Detective Hill’s helps keep our community safe by ensuring guns stay out of the hands of documented gang members,” he said. “Great work, detective!”

The district attorney’s outstanding screening award recognizes the efforts of detectives and officers that put together materials for the office’s screening team that helps ensure a successful prosecution once the charges are filed. λ