Police departments in 2021 faced unparalleled challenges, from continued difficulties in hiring and retaining quality candidates to an unprecedented flow of guns, traceable and untraceable, onto the streets. Once again Behind the Badge was with them, talking about the issues and people in law enforcement and providing award-winning coverage. Behind the Badge took home six awards for writing, sweeping the top three in the Orange County Press Club’s 2022 Excellence in Journalism Contest, announced Thursday, June 30. The six awards bring Behind the Badge’s total to 55 since it began entering the contest seven years ago. For the first time…