VICTORIA—Former North Island RCMP members were among those honoured for their service at the 34th annual B.C. Police Honours Night at Government House recently.
Constables Fletcher Chisholm (currently with Sooke Detachment), Cedric Gnyp and Ian McLeod (currently with Vernon/North Okanagan Detachment) of the Port Hardy Detachment, and former Port McNeill constables Andrew Bachmann (currently with Castlegar Detachment) and Christopher Voller (currently with Comox Valley Detachment) were awarded Meritorious Service medals for their role in “(saving) two people from a potentially deadly attack on a vessel at sea.”
Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon and Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton presented the awards, with the Meritorious Service medal given for “exemplary performance that enhances the image of police officers in British Columbia. It is awarded to police officers who clearly demonstrated that they acted in a manner significantly beyond the standard normally expected.”
In all, 67 officers were awarded meritorious service honours, with a further 19 given the award of valour — the highest award for a police officer in B.C. — given to those who place themselves at substantial risk to save others.
“As British Columbians, we are fortunate to have such outstanding members of our police agencies delivering exemplary service to our communities,” said the Lieutenant Governor. “I extend my thanks and congratulations to these men and women for their commitment to the safety and care of our citizens.”
“Officers like these directly contribute so much to the safety of our communities, and their accomplishments are worthy of recognition and celebration,” said Minister Anton.