Delta Police Dept honours citizens, officers at awards ceremony

From the heroic efforts by citizens who lifted a car off a trapped man, 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, Board members, Delta Police Foundation representatives and guests, gathered last night at the Tsawwassen Springs to celebrate these, and other achievements.  The event adhered to all COVID 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 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 DPD. Constable Steve Vickery 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.  

Constable 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 Constable Vickery was able to apprehend him under the Mental Health Act and he was taken to hospital. The man later contacted Constable Vickery to thank him and share that his diagnosis of an intracranial hemorrhage was correct and he had required immediate life-saving neurosurgery.  Cst. 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 Chief 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,” says Chief 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. 

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, Ms. G’froerer has continued this program on her own. For her extraordinary commitment to the community of Delta, Ms. Mary-Lynn 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. Cst. 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, Constable Martens observed the suspect inside the front entrance. The suspect began to run through the busy hospital emergency department while being pursued by Constables 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, Cst. Martens was awarded a Chief Constable Commendation.

Following is the full list of awards presented on Oct. 28, 2021:

 

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

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: Cst. Paul Uppal

Outstanding Police Staff of the year: Amanda Thompson

 

Chief Constable Commendations

Arrest Of American Homicide Suspect: Cst. Jason Martens

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

Fire Evacuation - Ladner: Cst. Jaskaran Dhillon, Cst. Grayson Hawkings and Cst. Scott McClure

Suicidal Man with Knife: Cst. Cameron Wilson and Cst. Hilary Ferguson 

Submerged Vehicle Rescue: Cst. Jacob Nolan

Alex Fraser Bridge Suicide Attempt: Cst. Jake Primeau and Cst. Josh Hutanu. 

 

Deputy Chief Constable Commendations

Unit Citation - Criminal Harassment Investigation: S/Sgt. Dave Vaughan-Smith; Sgt. Dan McLean, Sgt. James Sandberg, name withheld X2, Cst. Mike Clark, Cst. 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, Cst. Christina Bruce, (name withheld), Cst. Dustin Classen, Cst. Mike Clark, and Cst. Emily Wawruck

Fraser River Suicide Attempt: Cst. Catherine Fiddick and Cst. Sandy Sernoski

Lifesaving Apprehension Of Person Suffering From Brain Bleed: Cst. Steven Vickery

CPR on Overdosed Passenger: Cst. Harry Dhillon

Suicidal Youth on Alex Fraser Bridge: Cst. Jaskaran Dhillon



Quicksand Rescue: Cst. Grayson Hawkings and Cst. Joel Thirsk 

Unit Citation - Delta Police COVID Response Team:  DC Harj Sidhu, Insp. Craig New, Insp. Kim Campbell, Insp. Ciaran Feenan, Insp. Ryan Hall, Insp. Mo Parry, A/S/Sgt. Jason Formby, Sgt. Jim Ingram, Cst. 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, Cst. Kristine Pemberton, Cst. Mike Grandia and Danica Payne (Child & Youth care worker)

Unit Citation - Victim As Agent: Sgt. Gwen Vaughan-Smith; Sgt. Richard Stabler, A/Sgt. Brittney Dawson, name withheld X2,  Cst. Aaron Pante ,and Cst. Ryan Labrosse



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

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

Health IM Project: Sgt. James Sandberg

Drone Program Implementation: Sgt. Jim Ingram

Meritorious Service - Major Case Assistant: Kim Henke