RCMP employees recognized for their service

RCMP have presented long-service medals, special awards, and commendation’s to over 40 peace officers, civilian member employees, and public service employees at a ceremony held in Kelowna.

Dignitaries included the District Commander of the RCMP in Southeastern B.C., Chief Superintendent Brad Haugli, Officer-In-Charge of the Kelowna Regional Detachment Superintendent Brent Mundle, and Superintendent Richard Bergevin

Seventeen award recipients were recognized for their meritorious service to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their country, having served for 20, 25, 30, and in some cases 35 years.

The Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal was awarded to Cpl. Mitch Mercier who was deployed to Bamyan, Afganistan from November 2011 to November 2012, were he worked with the OPP as a mentor and advisor for the New Zealand army and police force at their headquarters.

Allan Speevak, President of the Okanagan Division of the RCMP Veterans Association presented the 2019 Police Officer Award to two officers this year. Sgt. Chris Newel is the NCO in Charge of the Kimberley Detachment and was recognized for his outstanding community engagement and his promotion of community safety in implementing a progressive foot patrol program and was his proactive media relations.

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Cpl. Chris Wolfram with the West Kootenay Traffic Services and Acting Operations N.C.0. with Grand Forks Detachment was recognized for his dedication to professional investigations and in community engagement with the citizens of Grand Forks.

Four officers received the Commanding Officer Commendation: Kelowna RCMP Sgt. Mark Booth received the CO’s Commendation for his incredible devotion to road safety and for achieving the Alexa Team all star status for removing a staggering 378 impaired drivers from our roads between 2008 and 2017.

Cst. Gary McLaughlin of North Okanagan Traffic also received the Commendation for the beneficial impact he has had on youth in Lumby. For two years, he took the lead and volunteered to organize and facilitate the RCMP READS Program which is designed to reduce crime through increased engagement with youth and police.

For her outstanding service as the affiant for Project E-Punctuate, the unsolved homicide investigation into the murder of Joshua Bowe in November 2010, in Mission, Cst. Erica Rast of Kelowna RCMP received the Commendation. After hours of reviewing a formidable amount of file material and drafting a series of 25 comprehensive judicial authorizations in this highly complex case, Cst. Rast’s dedication contributed to the convictions of murder against the two accused.

Kelowna RCMP Cst. Russell Reeder was commended for his role in the apprehension of an emotionally disturbed suicidal man. The delusional man crouched behind a barricade with a ski pole. Cst. Reeder attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the man picked up a pair of scissors and attacked the Constable, attempting to stab him in the face. Cst. Reeder deployed pepper spray but the man stabbed the pepper spray can, adding to the confusion at the scene. Despite the man continuing to attempt to stab Cst. Reeder, he was able to take control and secure the man without further injury.

Members of BC RCMP and the BC Conservation Service who risked their lives to combat the Alpha Mountain Fire in Ashcroft received the 2017 Wildfire Recognition Award. At the outbreak of the Elephant Hill Wildfire, Cst. Theoret was the Acting Detachment Commander in Ashcroft. Despite learning that his own house had been engulfed in the fire, he ensured the evacuation of the Boston Flats Trailer Park and oversaw detachment operations until the return of the commander. Despite the loss of all of his personal belongings, Cst. Theroet placed public safety first above his own personal situation.

Project E-Predicate was an investigation that spanned over two years, crossing international borders with investigators conducted undercover operations in the United States, Mexico and Panama which resulted in charges of two senior Hell’s Angels members and six others across BC for drug trafficking.

For their efforts in the complicated and detailed investigation, eight officers and staff of the Federal Serious and Organized Crime group involved in E-Predicate received the Program Officer’s Commendation. Sgt. Ken Johnston was the primary investigator for Project E-Predicate overseeing all of the investigative details of the file including organizing and monitoring all the undercover operations here and internationally for which he was presented with the Commissioner’s Commendation.