Meet the RCMP's local Cop of the Year

Corporal Mike Duguay (shown) of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was one of four recipients of 2004 Police Services Awards presented today by the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.

The awards recognize Officers of the Year in four area police services: the Ontario Provincial Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Anishinabek Police Service, and Sault Ste. Marie Police Service.

Today's awards were presented at the Holiday Inn with about 180 Chamber of Commerce members and other members of the general public in attendance.

Selection criteria included continued efforts in pursuit of excellence, high standards of performance and dedication, performance above and beyond the call of duty, community-mindedness and bravery.

Other winners included:

- Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Constable Steven Miron - OPP Constable Brian Speakman - Anishinabek Police Service Constable Marc Lesage

The following is Corporal Duguay's commendation, as prepared by the RCMP:

*********************** Corporal Mike Duguay

Corporal Mike Duguay joined the RCMP in Moncton, New Brunswick in 1978.

Following graduation from Depot Division in Regina, Saskatchewan, Corporal Duguay was posted to British Columbia where he served on General Duties, Crime Prevention/Victim’s Services, Municipal Traffic and Highway Patrol until August 1990.

After spending six years in the Toronto area working Airport, Consulate Security and Community Policing, Cpl. Duguay transferred to Sault Ste. Marie in 1996 as the Officer in Charge of the Detachment Drug Unit.

While posted in the Sault, other duties have included being the officer in charge of the Federal Enforcement Section and Project Team Leader for local major files.

Since December 2003, Cpl. Duguay has been the Acting Detachment Commander while the detachment commander recovers from a serious illness.

Since 1997, Cpl. Duguay has been involved with the local Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Chapter (ALS) helping organize their annual walk-a-thons and other fundraisers in memory of Cst. Richard Forest, a former detachment member who had the illness and has since passed away form Lou Gehrig’s Disease in June 2003.

Cpl. Duguay is a past provincial board member of the Ontario Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of Ontario.

In March 1998, Cpl. Duguay became involved as a citizen instructor with the 155 Borden Gray G.C. Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.

In June 1999, Cpl. Duguay was sworn in as an Officer Cadet with the Air Cadet Squadron, becoming a commissioned officer in September 2000.

Cpl. Duguay is presently a Lieutenant with the Squadron and has recently been appointed the Squadron Deputy Commanding Officer.

He instructs various subjects of the Air Cadet program, helps with the coaching/mentoring of the Squadron’s Precision Drill Team and Shooting Team.

Cpl. Duguay believes in contributing to his adopted community, Sault Ste. Marie, and is a community-minded member who continues to devote much of his time to our community’s youth.

Cpl. Duguay has been married to his wife (Claire) for 28 years and has two adult children, Tara and Shawn and a 15-month-old grandson.

Tara resides in Sault Ste. Marie while Shawn is a member of the Canadian Navy presently stationed in Halifax, NS.

As the Federal Enforcement Unit Commander and temporary Detachment Commander, Cpl. Duguay strives in cooperation with area police services through integration to create a "safe home and safe community" environment for residents of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District.

The members of the Sault Ste. Marie RCMP detachment wish to congratulate Cpl. Duguay on his efforts and his selection for the Chamber’s Officer of the Year.

*********************** Brought to you by...

Sponsors of the 2004 Police Services Awards include the Station Mall Merchants Association, Great Lakes Power Ltd., NCO Group (formerly RMH International) and Credit Bureau Collections - Algoma District).