Surrey RCMP officers, auxiliaries, support staff, and volunteers were recognized at the Surrey Board of Trade’s 20th annual Police Officer of the Year Awards for their exemplary service and commitment to making Surrey a safer place to live and do business.
Sergeant Lyndsay O’Ruaric was named this year’s Police Officer of the Year (as nominated by the community) for her work leading the detachment’s Special Victims Unit team that works at Sophie’s Place Child Advocacy Centre. Sgt. O’Ruaric was recognized for her commitment to the long-term care and support of vulnerable children who have experienced trauma.
Cst. Chris Jones honoured for his work with our Special Victims Unit at last night's @SBoT Police Officer of the Year Awards. pic.twitter.com/LW6ozHRRHN
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) October 7, 2016
Constable Chris Jones was named this year’s Police Officer of the Year (as nominated by his peers) for his passion for justice and genuine care for the vulnerable and exploited of our community as a member of the Surrey RCMP’s Special Victims Unit.
Other award winners included:
Auxiliary Constable Mark Elson – Auxiliary Constable of the Year
Jody Nelson – Municipal Employee of the Year
Congrats Sgt Lyndsay O'Ruaric, @SBofT Police Officer of the Year nominated by community for her work with @Centreforchild #SophiesPlace pic.twitter.com/WQZ84uxRd4
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) October 7, 2016
D’Arcy Nelson – Volunteer of the Year
Priority Target Offender Unit – Arnold Silzer Community Policing Initiative Award
Domestic Violence Unit – Police Team Award
Sophie’s Place Child Advocacy Centre – Police and Business Partnership Award
I am very proud of the work of this detachment and the community in continuously striving to create a healthier and safer Surrey, says Assistant Commissioner Bill Fordy, Lower Mainland District Commander. The strong partnership that exists between the police and the local business community here is evident. I thank the Surrey Board of Trade for hosting this event for 20 years and the businesses that have supported this event, year after year.
The relationship between business and the RCMP is important because we are both working towards a healthy and safe community for our residents and businesses, says Anita Patil Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade.
The Surrey Board of Trade celebrates the work of the Surrey RCMP because they do excellent work in ensuring the safety of our city and our businesses. Their jobs are not easy. Their innovation, work ethic, and cross-collaboration make the Surrey RCMP leaders in Canada.
In this 20th anniversary, the Surrey Board of Trade is proud to celebrate the Surrey RCMP in this unique event in Canada.
Congratulations to the deserving recipients of the 2016 @SBofT Police Officer of the Year Awards! https://t.co/9xDVXXwrYr @Centreforchild pic.twitter.com/Yv1wdUklaP
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) October 7, 2016
Congratulations to all award winners and nominees. Partial proceeds from this event go towards the RCMP Youth Academy.
2016 Surrey Police Officer of the Year Awards Winners
Arnold Silzer Community Policing Initiative Award
Priority Target Offender Unit
The Priority Target Offender Unit (PTOU) was established in 2015 with the advent of the Surrey RCMP Community Services Business Line. The PTOU innovatively and strategically deploys police resources to accomplish Surrey’s goals of safe homes and neighborhoods. Priority Target Offenders are identified based on the prolific nature of their offence and/or the significance of their role in criminal activities.
The PTOU works vigorously with investigative teams across the Detachment and District as well as external partners including Crown Counsel, Correctional Service of Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency to identify PTOs for strategic enforcement and post-enforcement monitoring. To date, PTOU has identified and prioritized 174 offenders for enforcement, resulting in 161 arrests.
With Surrey's new Officer in Charge Dwayne McDonald at Surrey Board of Trade Police Awards @SBofT @SurreyRCMP pic.twitter.com/5XVpQOeLy5
— Anita Huberman (@anitahuberman) October 7, 2016
Police and Business Partnership Award
Sophie’s Place
Sophie’s Place provides services to children and youth, 0 to 18 years of age who are victims of sexual, mental, and physical abuse, in a child-friendly designed environment. Sophie’s Place provides the RCMP with the ability to investigate incidents of child abuse in the least intrusive and most supportive way possible.
Together, the partners in the facility are committed to strengthening the bond between the community and the RCMP, while ensuring that everyone involved obtains the most accurate information in a safe and protective environment for young victims. Sophie’s Place also assists with long-term care and recovery of vulnerable children. Since its inception in 2012, Sophie’s Place has supported a total of 561 children.
Surrey Board of Trade with the new Surrey RCMP Chief, Terry Waterhouse, Surrey Public Safety Manager and Vince Lalonde, City Manager @SBofT pic.twitter.com/1NGJl5eXh5
— Anita Huberman (@anitahuberman) October 7, 2016
Municipal Employee of the Year Award
Jody Nelson
Jody works at the Surrey RCMP’s District 4 Office as a Crime Prevention Programs Coordinator. She is responsible for developing and implementing crime prevention programs in the community. Jody develops and delivers presentations to Surrey residents on RCMP community programs such as Block Watch, Observe and Report It, and Coffee with a Cop.
In 2015, Jody’s presentations reached over 800 residents. She manages 141 Block Watch groups in Cloverdale, and the program has grown over 20% under her guidance. She has been an amazing ambassador in promoting and educating local neighbourhoods on crime prevention. She shows genuine care and love for the community through her work.
BC's Solicitor General Mike Morris at 20th Surrey RCMP Awards Dinner last-Surrey Board of Trade. @MikeMorrisforBC @SBofT pic.twitter.com/FNUiMSrmHK
— Anita Huberman (@anitahuberman) October 7, 2016
Volunteer of the Year Award
D’Arcy Nelson
D’Arcy started as a volunteer with the Cloverdale/Port Kells District 4 office in 2013, contributing nearly 600 volunteer hours to date. When learning about a neighbouring residential complex suffering a number of thefts and break-ins, he immediately offered to accompany the Crime Prevention Coordinator to have a Block Watch group in place. He attended meetings with residents to ensure that they were aware of security precautions and RCMP support.
The residential complex today is very active in Block Watch. Upon learning that his own complex was becoming inactive in Block Watch, he spearheaded a campaign to ensure it was reactivated and became the Block Watch Captain. He contributes on a daily basis to community safety by becoming active in not only his neighbourhood, but also by assisting and encouraging other citizens to take ownership and responsibility to ensure a viable, safe community.
Our Neil Mulholland presents the Police and Business Partnership Award to Sophie's Place, helping kids in need-so important. #POY20 @SBofT pic.twitter.com/e8wXCZN92u
— McQuarrie Hunter LLP (@McQuarrieHunter) October 7, 2016
Auxiliary Constable of the Year Award
Auxiliary Constable Mark Elson
In his role as an Auxiliary Constable, Mark Elson has assisted in delivering Block Watch training on a monthly/bi-monthly basis for the last 15 years. His dedication to community engagement, and public safety is a cornerstone of the drive and commitment that Mark brings to this volunteer role.
In the past 18 months, Mark has worked with the Crime Prevention Team to revamp and update the training syllabus that is delivered to Captains and Co-Captains. The program, through his leadership, established almost 200 new Block Watch groups in Surrey.
Our new Officer in Charge Chief Superintendent Dwayne McDonald is in attendance at tonight’s @SBoT Police Officer of the Year Awards #POY20 pic.twitter.com/FHs94xxjCI
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) October 7, 2016
Police Team of the Year Award
Domestic Violence Unit
The Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) is an integrated unit composed of RCMP officers, community partners and victim service workers. This innovative shift resulted in a higher degree of coordination and proficiency when responding to high-risk domestic violence cases. The DVU investigates all individuals at the highest risk to violently re-offend against their current or future intimate partner.
The DVU brings together community stakeholders and regularly participates in committee meetings, local events and media platforms to raise awareness to tackle domestic violence. The DVU also hosts training opportunities through Interagency Case Assessment Teams, offering risk assessment, and trauma sensitive training, increasing the community’s capacity to respond to domestic violence cases.
Police Officer of the Year Award – Nominated by Peers
Congrats to all the nominees and winners of the 20th Surrey Police Officer of the Year Awards #POY20 @SBofT. Speaking: W.C. (Bill) Fordy. pic.twitter.com/7wNdiJTNAL
— McQuarrie Hunter LLP (@McQuarrieHunter) October 7, 2016
Constable Chris Jones
Constable Jones has been a member of Surrey Detachment for almost seven years and a part of the Special Victims Unit since 2014. During his time with SVU he has established himself as a go to member within the team. He continuously carries one of the heaviest file loads. His quiet demeanor is quickly replaced with a witty banter that is sure to motivate his team or instigate heated debate. He keeps the team motivated during challenging, emotionally charged investigations.
Noteworthy files this year included overseeing three investigations simultaneously where the same 14-year-old victim had been exploited by a number of adult males. The victim lacked support from her family and was unable to see the support she had in the community. Constable Jones lead the team that worked diligently with this victim to ensure that those responsible were prosecuted.
Constable Jones’ actions during his investigations are stemmed from a passion for justice and genuine care for the vulnerable and the exploited of our community. He is continuously giving back by sharing his skills related to preparation of Judicial Authorizations, Sex Crimes Investigations and Investigative Interviewing.
At @SBofT #SurreyBC Police Officer of the Year Awards. Thank you to all the men and women who keep us safe! #POY20 pic.twitter.com/OpPc5MqV8m
— Peter Fassbender (@Fassbender_BC) October 7, 2016
Police Officer of the Year Award – Nominated by Community
Sergeant Lyndsay O’Ruaric
Sergeant O’Ruaric leads the Sophie’s Place Child Advocacy Centre RCMP Special Victims Unit (SVU) team and also works with the entire SVU team at Surrey Detachment. She has been an RCMP Officer for 13 years and has worked with the SVU for seven years. She provides exemplary service to reduce the trauma experienced by child-abuse victims.
Her ultimate focus is long-term care and support to vulnerable children. She ensures police engagement in collaboration with community service providers to offer on-going assistance and recovery for victims. Her leadership and encouragement motivates community agencies. The integrated approaches between law enforcement and community brings focus to the wellness of children, child abuse investigations, family support, and abuse preventions in Surrey.
