Facing down armed robbers, rescuing children and dodging bullets were all in a day's work for some of the 60 B.C. police officers honoured tonight at Government House.

Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon and Shirley Bond, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, presented the awards to outstanding officers in a ceremony marking B.C.'s 32nd annual Police Honours Night.

Some of the award winners include: Vancouver Police Constable Cara Adams, who while interviewing another person roadside, leapt to rescue an unconscious female from a burning vehicle, and Langley RCMP Corporal Joel Glen, who despite having a large butcher knife thrown at him, safely apprehended a distraught suspect.

Overall, 25 officers received the award of valour, the highest award for a police officer in B.C. These officers made a decision to place themselves in extreme danger to save others.

Thirty-four police officers were awarded meritorious service honours. This designates officers who acted in a manner significantly beyond the expected.

One retired deputy commissioner received a framed certificate for outstanding service.

For the first time, the awards were live-streamed on the internet, making it possible for media, police detachments and families of the award recipients to watch at: www.livestream.com/rcmpgrc

Quotes:

Minister of Public Safety and Attorney General Shirley Bond -

"Tonight's award recipients are officers who exemplify bravery, resourcefulness, training and focus. It is appropriate that they are recognized in this special way. On behalf of all British Columbians we want to thank them for their selfless public service."

Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon -

"I am comforted knowing our citizens are served by such fine officers. Tonight's recipients are a shining example of the values and dedication our police agencies embody, and I thank them for their commitment to the people of British Columbia."

Quick Facts:

• Since 1981, Police Honours Night has provided an annual occasion for government to recognize members of the RCMP and municipal police service who have acted in an exemplary manner.

• The award recipients are selected by a committee of representatives from the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police and the ministry's Police Services Division.

• About 9,000 member of RCMP, independent municipal, First Nations and transit police services deliver policing throughout British Columbia.

Learn More:

Police Services Division website: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/policeservices/

For photos visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/sets/72157632083758524/

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961

BACKGROUNDER

The following honourees were selected by a committee of representatives from the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ministry of Justice's Police Services Division.

AWARDS OF VALOUR:

Vancouver Police Department

Sergeant Andrew Chan and constables Shawn Bollivar, Peter Da Silva, (Name Withheld), Richard Lee and Wade Rodrigue - placed themselves at risk during an eight-hour standoff that resulted in the safe apprehension of a disturbed male armed with a knife and the rescue of a young child hostage.

Constable Cara Adams - rescued an unconscious female from a burning vehicle.

Constables Mark Bouchey and Rod Deighton - rescued a suicidal male attempting to jump off a highway overpass.

(Names withheld) - rescued residents from a burning house.

Constables Andre Haaksma and Keith MacDonald - rescued a suicidal male attempting to jump from a fifth-storey window.

Constables Jasprit Shahi and Greig Vandenberg - used exceptional judgement during the apprehension of a robbery suspect armed with a handgun.

Victoria Police Department

Constable Lane Douglas-Hunt - fought off an attacker armed with a knife and placed herself at risk to protect innocent bystanders.

100 Mile House RCMP

Constables Dale Bennett (now with Merritt) and Russel Mante - dealt with an armed male involved in a domestic dispute in which a woman had been shot.

Chilliwack RCMP

Fraser Valley Traffic Section - Constable James Moir - risked his life to prevent a teenage girl from being hit by a fast-moving vehicle.

Upper Fraser Valley Regional - Corporal Scott Stoughton (now with IHIT - Chilliwack) and constable Sean Hackman of RCMP Vancouver Air Services and Constable Bruce Johnson (now with UFVRD - Agassiz) - put themselves at risk to rescue an unconscious teenage girl from the Chehalis River canyon.

Hope RCMP

Constable Patricia Evans (now with Ashcroft) - put herself at risk when entering a smoke-filled motel room to rescue a male occupant.

Langley RCMP

Corporal Joel Glen (now with ISPOT) - put himself at risk to confront an agitated male armed with a knife.

North Vancouver RCMP

Constable Marc Belliveau - dealt with an extremely volatile male who had attacked him with a knife.

MERITORIOUS SERVICE:

Vancouver Police Department

Sergeant (WSE) Rob Faoro - for duty, integrity and outstanding leadership during a number of complex, high-profile investigations.

Constable Derrick Gibson - for dedication to duty and courage during the apprehension of a violent sexual predator.

(Names Withheld) - for dedication to duty and using exceptional judgement to rescue a suicidal male threatening to jump from the roof of a five-story building.

Victoria Police Department

Sergeants Michael Brown and Michael Johnston and constables Steven Kowan and Ken Ramsay - for courage and dedication to duty in searching and securing the booby-trapped residence of a known drug dealer.

West Vancouver Police Department

Constable Gregory Trenholm - for dedication to duty and using exceptional judgement to rescue a suicidal male attempting to jump off the Lions Gate Bridge.

Constables James Hudson and Dominic Toa - for dedication to duty and using their knowledge, skills and abilities to rescue a male stranded on a cliff face.

100 Mile House RCMP

Sergeant Donald McLean and constables Jeffrey Ferguson and Kevin Smith - for dedication to duty and using exceptional judgement in responding to a domestic dispute where a female victim had been shot.

Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit

(Name withheld) and Corporal Paul Hodges - for dedication to duty, outstanding contribution and commitment to combating organized crime.

Elk Valley RCMP

Constable Andre Reutgen - for dedication to duty and using exceptional judgement in dealing with a suicidal male armed with a rifle.

Kelowna RCMP

Constables Jared Etsell (now with Bella Coola) and Jennifer Hunter - for dedication to duty and using sound judgement to rescue a driver from a partially submerged vehicle in the McKinley Reservoir.

Nanaimo RCMP

Corporal Norman Smith - for his significant contribution and commitment to community service.

Surrey RCMP

Sergeant Drew Grainger and Corporal Marc Searle - for their initiative, tenacity and dedication to duty in significantly reducing crime and violence on the "strip" in Surrey.

Corporal Michael Hall - for exceptional skill and dedication to duty during a complex and difficult investigation of a high-profile gang member.

(Name withheld) (now with Richmond) and Corporal Heather Matthew - for dedication to duty and tenacity during an investigation of an individual who abused his authority to sexually assault several victims.

Constable Tanya Hermann - for professionalism, compassion and dedication to duty in her efforts to save the life of a female who had been shot several times.

Constables Leanne Krauss and Amberia Sovdi - for exceptional performance and dedication to duty during an investigation of sexual assaults against two young girls.

Constables Ranjit Singh Seehra and Lucas Sovio - for dedication to duty and using exceptional judgement in dealing with an intoxicated male armed with a knife.

Tofino RCMP

Constables Jackson Bernard and Jordan MacKellar - for bravery and dedication to duty in rescuing a female from the ocean near Tofino.

Vernon RCMP

Constable Michael Jacobson (now with North Okanagan Traffic Services) - for dedication while off-duty in rendering first aid to a seriously injured pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle.

West Shore RCMP

Sergeant David Hall (now with "E" Division Major Crime) - for his dedication to duty and leadership during a murder investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of two people responsible for heinous crimes.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE:

Deputy Commissioner Peter German (retired), Deputy Commissioner West, RCMP - in recognition of outstanding leadership and service to policing in British Columbia, 2005 - 2012.

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961