FROM the heroic efforts by citizens who lifted a car off a trapped man (see photo below), to complex work to prevent a youth from being sexually exploited, to a life-saving diagnosis by a paramedic-turned-police officer — all are incidents that were showcased last night in a long-awaited awards ceremony celebrating achievements of citizens and officers alike over the past two years.

Delta Police officers and their families, Delta Police Board members, Delta Police Foundation representatives and guests gathered on Thursday night at the Tsawwassen Springs to celebrate these and other achievements. The event adhered to all COVID-19 protocols.

“It was a very moving evening, being able to gather to honour some of the incredible work being done, not just by our officers, but also by our own Delta citizens,” said Police Chief Neil Dubord. “Many of the awards celebrated work that was literally life-saving or life-changing.”

One award acknowledged the importance of the skills officers can bring with them when they join the DPD. Constable Steve Vickery (see first photo) came to Delta Police as a mature recruit with years of paramedic experience. In September 2020, he answered the call when Emergency Health Services asked for police to assist with an aggressive man.

Vickery noted the man seemed extremely confused, with abnormal and slurred speech and had difficulty performing basic tasks, so he told the BC Ambulance crew that the male could be suffering from a brain bleed. The male refused medical assistance. However, Vickery was able to apprehend him under the Mental Health Act and he was taken to hospital. The man later contacted Vickery to thank him and share that his diagnosis of an intracranial hemorrhage was correct and he had required immediate life-saving neurosurgery. Vickery was awarded a Deputy Chief Constable Commendation.

“Through the course of our work, often the goal of police isn’t to take enforcement action but instead is focused on putting supports in place for the victim, or preventing victimization,” said Dubord of two Superintendent Commendations that were awarded. The first was for officers who successfully intervened with an underage, at-risk victim being sexually exploited, who has now turned her life around. The second acknowledged the work of officers who helped send a 16-year-old being groomed for child exploitation back to her family outside of Canada.

“These are investigations that we can’t necessarily share with the community, in order to protect the privacy of those involved, so it’s very meaningful to acknowledge our officers work in this manner,” added Dubord. “Working with at-risk youths and children is incredibly important but also very time consuming, and I want to also acknowledge the partnerships we have with the Delta School District and other social services supports.”

The Delta Police only recently welcomed volunteers back to its offices, but one volunteer remained very active during COVID-19.

In 2019, the District Community Police Offices initiated the “Keep In Touch” program and Mary-Lynn G’froerer volunteered to be the coordinator. This program offers support to seniors living in the community with limited or no family support.

Volunteers regularly make phone contact, to check in on the health and wellness of the participants. Since March of 2020, despite the offices being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, G’froerer has continued this program on her own. For her extraordinary commitment to the community of Delta, G’froerer was awarded the Delta Police Volunteer of the Year award.

Chief Constable Commendations are the highest level of award presented by the Delta Police.

On the afternoon of January 28, 2019, Constable Jason Martens was involved in the search for a homicide suspect from the United States. Martens was tenacious in getting updated information from his American counterparts and learned the suspect was making phone calls from a phone located at Peace Arch Hospital.

Containment was set up at the hospital and, upon arriving, Martens observed the suspect inside the front entrance. The suspect began to run through the busy hospital emergency department while being pursued by Martens and an RCMP member. The suspect surrendered and a loaded handgun was located in his waistband. For his courage and tenacity, while considering the risk to public safety, Martens was awarded a Chief Constable Commendation.

Following is the full list of awards presented on October 28:

Delta Police Outstanding Citizen Award

Submerged Vehicle Rescue – Hendrik Van Beek

Pinned Victim Rescue – Harsharan Singh, Abhayjeet Singh, Garry Bansal, Inderpreet Sekhon, Josh Gibson, Logan Gain, Carey Griffin and Aileen Noguer (see photo below).

Community Engagement Award

THIS (The Harmony Initiative Society) Founders: Warren Dean-Flandez and Geeta Schallig

Volunteer of the Year Award

For dedication as a volunteer, including continuing to work from home during COVID-19: Mary-Lynn G’froerer

Patrol Officer of the year: Constable Paul Uppal

Outstanding Police Staff of the year: Amanda Thompson

Chief Constable Commendations

Arrest Of American Homicide Suspect: Constable Jason Martens

Extraordinary Effort Arresting Fleeing Homicide Suspect: Constable Aaron McRae and Constable Chris Cottrill

Fire Evacuation – Ladner: Constable Jaskaran Dhillon, Constable Grayson Hawkings and Constable Scott McClure

Suicidal Man with Knife: Constable Cameron Wilson and Constable Hilary Ferguson

Submerged Vehicle Rescue: Constable Jacob Nolan

Alex Fraser Bridge Suicide Attempt: Constable Jake Primeau and name withheld.

Deputy Chief Constable Commendations

Unit Citation – Criminal Harassment Investigation: Staff-Sgt. Dave Vaughan-Smith; Sgt. Dan McLean, Sgt. James Sandberg, name withheld x2, Constable Mike Clark, Constable Dustin Classen, Kristin Vaughan-Smith, Victim Services Assistant Coordinator, and Shelene Rail (Crown Counsel)

Unit Citation – Arson Investigation: Sgt. James Sandberg, Sgt. Dan McLean, Sgt. Gary Koonar, Constable Christina Bruce, (name withheld), Constable Dustin Classen, Constable Mike Clark, and Constable Emily Wawruck

Fraser River Suicide Attempt: Constable Catherine Fiddick and Constable Sandy Sernoski

Lifesaving Apprehension Of Person Suffering From Brain Bleed: Constable Steven Vickery

CPR on Overdosed Passenger: Constable Harry Dhillon

Suicidal Youth on Alex Fraser Bridge: Constable Jaskaran Dhillon

Quicksand Rescue: Constable Grayson Hawkings and Constable Joel Thirsk (see photo below).

Unit Citation – Delta Police COVID-19 Response Team: Deputy Chief Harj Sidhu, Inspector Craig New, Inspector Kim Campbell, Inspector Ciaran Feenan, Inspector Ryan Hall, Inspector Mo Parry, A/S/Sgt. Jason Formby, Sgt. Jim Ingram, Constable Karrie Graham, Katie Vales, Andrea Peterson, Hilary Madore and Elaine Alger (City).

Superintendent Commendations

Unit Citation – Successful Intervention With At-Risk Victim: Sgt. Richard Stabler, A/Sgt. Brittney Dawson, Constable Kristine Pemberton, Constable Mike Grandia and Danica Payne (Child and Youth care worker)

Unit Citation – Victim As Agent: Sgt. Gwen Vaughan-Smith; Sgt. Richard Stabler, A/Sgt. Brittney Dawson, name withheld x2, Constable Aaron Pante and Constable Ryan Labrosse

Unit Citation – Intervention Of International At-Risk Victim: Constable Kathy Bauman Constable Sandy Sernoski, and Constable Kristine Pemberton

Unit Citation – Burnsview Secondary Stabbing: Sgt. Raman Athwal, Cst. Bianca Boyce, Constable Kevin Hilliard, Constable Nathan Porter, Constable Kathy Bauman, Constable Nav Bring, Constable Ganesh Krishnan, Constable Kristine Pemberton, Constable Mike Grandia, Constable Matt Rancourt, Constable Jaspreet Sahota, Constable Michael Santos and Constable Chris Ward

Health IM Project: Sgt. James Sandberg

Drone Program Implementation: Sgt. Jim Ingram

Meritorious Service – Major Case Assistant: Kim Henke