Local police officers honoured

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT CHAMBER Of COMMERCE

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SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - (May 21, 2009) - Several local police officers were recognized as Officers of the Year at the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce 12th annual Police Services Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 21.

Officers from each of Sault Ste. Marie's four area police services received the distinction.

Shown is Acting Sergeant Albert Williams of Anishinabeck Police Service's Garden River Detachment, accepting his award from a representative of Brookfield Renewable Power with Great Lakes Power.

To view this year's recipients of these awards, please click on the following links:

Sault Ste. Marie Police Serivce Ontario Provincial Police Anishinabek Police Service, Garden River Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Criteria for Officer of the Year awards

- Continued efforts in the pursuit of excellence as a police officer.

- A high standard of performance and dedication in the day to day duties of a police officer.

- Any performance that is over and above the call of duty.

- Any incidence of bravery, life-saving or attempted life saving or rescue.

- Community-mindedness and overall service to the businesses and citizens of our community.

Each award is sponsored by a local business or agency that recognizes the efforts of our local police services and the important role that they play in the overall betterment of our community.

2009 award sponsors included:

- The Station Mall Merchants Association.

- Brookfield Renewable Power with Great Lakes Power.

- Northwood Funeral Home.

- Women In Crisis (Algoma) Inc., a United Way member agency.

Ironside Consulting Services Inc was a contributing sponsor of the luncheon.

Cale Krezek, first vice president of the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce and master of ceremonies for the event, drew attention to the fact that Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding area is fortunate to have four exceptional police services safeguarding our citizens and our communities.

He noted that it is very important that we take the time to honour the hard work and commitment of the police officers safeguarding Sault Ste. Marie and area and extended thanks to the hundreds of additional officers who work in-and-around our community.

Thursday's luncheon featured an address by Glen Wasyliniuk, crown attorney for the district of Algoma who spoke on the changing role of the police in the prosecution of cases.

On behalf of the approximately 100 in attendance and the 900 plus member businesses of the Chamber of Commerce, the ceremonies concluded with congratulatory remarks and a sincere thank you to all of the police officers of Sault Ste. Marie and area was extended "for making the community a safer place to live, to work and to raise our families."

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