Port Moody Police Department
Media Release
DATE: February 15th, 2018
SUBJECT: Evening of Excellence Awards Ceremony
PORT MOODY: On February 15th, 2018 the Port Moody Police Department held their annual “Evening of Excellence” Commendation and Awards Ceremony at the Port Moody City Hall.
The Evening of Excellence ceremony is an opportunity to honour the sworn and civilian members of the PMPD for going above and beyond the call of duty in keeping our community safe, and to pay tribute to volunteers and recent retirees with presentations of Exemplary Service Medals, Commendations and Service Certificates.
The awards night is truly a unique opportunity for the Department, community leaders, and citizens to recognize the outstanding work the sworn members, civilian staff and volunteers of the Port Moody Police Department do every single day.
Nominated by their peers, the award recipients are carefully reviewed by a Commendation Review Board comprised of several senior police management, before the final selections are made. In all, 15 police officers and 19 civilian’ volunteers received awards for outstanding and exemplary contributions to the police department and community.
The commendations awarded included; Inspectors Commendation(s), Chief Constable Commendation(s), Exemplary Service Medal(s), and an opportunity to honour recently retired members by presenting them with their retirement badges.
Numerous volunteers were also recognized with individual certificates of significant accomplishment, in addition to community partners being recognized for their contributions to community programs.
The most notable award presented during the evening went to Constable Al Bewcyk whom received a 40 year “Exemplary Service Medal”. Constable Bewcyk received a well-deserved standing ovation from the entire audience, in appreciation of his near “half century” of continuous policing service. Constable Bewcyk began his career with the RCMP in 1973, before being hired by the Port Moody Police Department in 1999, and can still be found policing our streets to this day.
Another notable service award was presented to 15-year veteran community volunteer; Helen Thrift, whom has maintained among the highest volume of volunteer hours annually, since she first began with the Port Moody Police Department in 1992.
Port Moody Police Department Mental Health Officer (MHO); Constable Jenn Ohashi received a Chief Constables Commendation for developing a method or program that significantly improves the operation of the Department as a whole. Constable Ohashi was the departments first Mental Health Officer and was able to build the newly created position from the ground up. Her contribution to the MHO program has significantly improved the service delivery to clients within our community.
Kia West Automotive received a Chief Constables Letter of Commendation, for their outstanding contribution to the volunteer program. For the past 7 years, Kia West has donated the use of a brand new vehicle to the Port Moody Police volunteers, so they can participate in various Community Relations programs. As a result of this support, our community is much safer!
Chief Constable Dave Fleugel was elated with the ceremony as a whole. He was quoted as saying; “it is truly an honour to recognize all of our award recipients for the dedication and passion they have shown to keep our community safe. The hard work and commitment to excellence by every single person recognized here tonight is nothing short of amazing. On behalf of the Department and our entire community, I wish to thank and congratulate all of this this year’s recipients.”
Released by
Cst. Jason Maschke
Community Relations Officer
Port Moody Police
Email: media@portmoodypolice.com
3051 St Johns Street
Port Moody, BC V3H 2C4
Office 604-461-3456
Fax: 604-937-1311
