4th Annual PAO Police Services Hero of the Year Awards Winners Announced
OTTAWA, May 17, 2019 /CNW/ - The Police Association of Ontario (PAO) has announced the recipients of its 4th Annual Police Services Hero of the Year Awards.
Congratulations to this year's winners:
- Cst. Aaron Reichert, Ottawa: On-Duty Difference Maker – Uniform/Sworn Police Officer
For his bravery and quick response while in pursuit of a suspect during an active triple shooting incident in the Byward Market - Mylène Lacroix, Dispatcher, Cornwall: On-Duty Difference Maker – Civilian Police Service Employee
For making a difference locally as a 911 dispatcher, and for making Cornwall and communities she visits on her missions to Uganda a better place through charitable and fundraising efforts - Durham Regional Police Service K9 Unit, Durham Regional: Community Role Model
For their fundraising efforts for local charities through the production and sales of calendars featuring Durham regional police service dogs
For the past four years, the PAO has encouraged Ontarians to nominate local uniform and civilian police personnel for a Police Services Hero of the Year award over the course of a six-week period. Stories submitted to PoliceHero.ca in February and March included details about how local police heroes go above and beyond while on duty or within their communities.
Over 380 nominations were received in 2019, which is the highest level of public engagement with the program to date. The PAO's Awards Committee (comprised of PAO members-at-large, the President, the Board Chair, and civilian association staff) had the challenging task of narrowing down the hundreds of nominations to a shortlist of three finalists per award category from a number of extremely compelling, emotional, and often personal narratives.
The above award winners were revealed during the PAO's 87th Annual General Meeting in Ottawa last night, where they were joined by the other awards category finalists and congratulated by representatives from the PAO's 48 member associations.
This year's award finalists also included:
- S/Sgt. Paul Davies, Halton Regional – On-Duty Difference Maker, Uniform Officer
- Cst. Dave Drummond, Windsor – On-Duty Difference Maker, Uniform Officer
- Tara Beaudoin, Hamilton, Special Constable Court Services – On-Duty Difference Maker, Civilian Police Service Employee
- Mary Bonenfant, North Bay, Dispatcher – On-Duty Difference Maker, Civilian Police Service Employee
- Cst. Scott Dargie, Durham Regional – Community Role Model
- Ottawa Police Hoopstars, Ottawa – Community Role Model
"Each and every day, Ontario's police personnel – be they uniformed officers or civilian police service employees – go above and beyond the call of duty to keep their communities safe in various ways," said PAO President, Bruce Chapman. "The PAO is proud to run the Police Services Hero of the Year awards program and it is our honour to recognize members who have clearly made an impact on someone's life."
The stories of the 2019 Police Services Hero of the Year awards winners and of all nominees can be viewed online at www.policehero.ca.
About the Police Association of Ontario (PAO):
Founded in 1933, the Police Association of Ontario (PAO) is the official provincial representative body for 18,000 sworn and civilian police personnel from 48 police associations across Ontario. A unifying voice for advocacy in policing, the PAO provides its member associations with representation, resource, and support.
Website: www.policehero.ca
Facebook: @PoliceAssociationofOntario
Twitter: @PoliceAssocON
SOURCE Police Association of Ontario
Sarah Coulter, Communications Manager - [email protected] | 416.569.7577; Bruce Chapman, President - [email protected] | 905.599.4813
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