Woo-hoo! John McLean, David Baskcomb and Peter Sewell!

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT COLLEGE

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Sault College Justice Studies grads honoured at 2012 Police Services Awards Luncheon

SAULT STE. MARIE - Two Sault College Justice Studies graduates and one former Sault College student were honoured yesterday as Officers of the Year at the annual Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce Police Services Awards Luncheon.

Constables John McLean, David Baskcomb and Peter Sewell were all named Officers of the Year in recognition of their dedication to public safety in the line of service. 

The criteria used in selecting the Officers of the Year included:

• Demonstration of continued efforts in the pursuit of excellence as a police officer.
• Demonstration of a high standard of performance and dedication in the day-to-day duties of a police officer.
• Performance that is over-and-above the call of duty.
• An incidence of bravery, life-safety or attempted life-saving or rescue.
• Community-mindedness and overall service to the businesses and citizens of our community.

McLean, a Police Foundations graduate and Baskcomb, former Sault College student, stopped a vehicle in the early morning of October 19, 2011.

Through keen observation, their traffic stop resulted in the arrest of three individuals who had weapons, drugs and a large amount of cash in their possession. 

The sense of intuition of these two officers in recognizing something being amiss led to the protection of public safety and helped prevent further drug activity by the occupants of the vehicle, stated Inspector Art Pluss in recognizing the two distinguished officers.

Constable Peter Sewell, who graduated from both Sault College Justice programs with a Police Foundations diploma and a Protection, Security and Investigations diploma, formerly known as Law and Security Administration program, was also recognized at the event as Officer of the Year for his unquestionable ethics, his diplomacy, confidence in his abilities, common sense and willingness to learn while serving with the Anishinabek Police Services - Garden River Detachment. 

“The citizens of Garden River feel safe when you are there,” stated Staff Sergeant Mark LeSage in recognizing Constable Sewell with his Officer of the Year award.

“We are very proud of these students and graduates and are glad that the Justice Studies programs they took with us provided them with the strong foundation for a great future serving and protecting the community,” said Frank Caputo, coordinator of the Justice Studies program at the College who was in attendance at the awards luncheon along with Coordinator Jeff Barnes and other Sault College administrators.

For more information on Justice Studies Programs, visit Sault College for a campus tour by calling 705-759-2554, ext. 2222 or contact the Coordinators Jeff Barnes at 705-759-2554 ext. 2617 and or Frank Caputo at 705-7592554 ext. 2796.

About Sault College Justice Studies Programs

Many Sault College Justice Studies graduates are gainfully employed in successful and exciting careers across Canada with the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police, Municipal Police, Regional Police, Customs and Immigration, Corrections, Military Police and Private and Public Security Firms. 

The Sault College Justice Studies Department offers two diploma programs, Police Foundations and Protection, Security and Investigation.

The program has a common first year, with the student selecting his or her specialist area for the second year of study. 

Justice Studies students are exposed to both theory and practical application of justice principles. 

Some examples of hands on training include forensic labs, self-defence tactics, use of force tools, accident reconstruction, form completion and much more. 

Instructors in these programs are from the enforcement field and provide a mentoring program for all students taking these courses.

Sault College, located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is one of 24 community colleges in Ontario.

Visit our website at www.saultcollege.ca for more information.

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