The Surrey Board of Trade 23rd Annual Surrey Police Officer of the Year Awards was held on Thursday, October 10 at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel.
The Presenting Sponsor was Hamilton Duncan, with Supporting Sponsor, Tim Hortons, and Media Sponsors, BCBusiness, CBC Vancouver and the Surrey NOW-Leader Newspaper.
Congratulations to all the award nominees and finalists for the Police Officer of the Year Awards. And a big thanks to @SBofT for your support and putting on such a wonderful event. #POY23 pic.twitter.com/0x9GXxxSSo
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) October 11, 2019
“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 Surrey Board of Trade CEO Anita Huberman.
2019 Surrey Police Officer of the Year Winner, Nominated by Community: Constable Richard Wright. Congratulations from the Surrey Board of Trade https://t.co/Kr1Xb4syyq @SBofT @RichardInRed @SurreyRCMP @mikefarnworthbc @jjhorgan @BruceRalston @cbcnewsbc @SurreyNowLeader pic.twitter.com/20FksrHsaK
— Anita Huberman (@anitahuberman) October 11, 2019
“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, cross-collaboration, makes the Surrey RCMP leaders in Canada. In this 23rd annual event, the Surrey Board of Trade is proud to celebrate the Surrey RCMP in this unique event in Canada."
Police Officer of the Year (nominated by the community): Constable Richard Wright for his dedication to mentoring youth and outstanding efforts in community engagement. @SBofT #POY23 pic.twitter.com/c4LHuIa8ck
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) October 11, 2019
Dressed in red serge uniforms, many members along with Surrey’s RCMP Auxiliary, civilian employees and volunteers joined members of Surrey’s business community to celebrate those chosen by their peers and the public, as those most worthy to receive the two Police Officer of the Year awards, as well as awards for top RCMP Auxiliary, most deserving municipal employee working with the police service, top volunteer and business partner.
The 400-person gathering was addressed by Assistant Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, Officer in Charge of the Surrey RCMP, and Captain Julian Elbourne, Chief of Staff Operations for the Royal Canadian Navy. Master of Ceremonies and award-winning journalist, Mike Killeen, kept the evening going with many laughs.
The winners were judged in the areas of: innovation, commitment, contribution and perseverance. Partial proceeds from the event goes towards the RCMP Youth Academy. The Surrey RCMP Detachment, the largest in Canada and second largest municipal force in BC, has over 650 officers and hundreds of support staff.
2019 Surrey Police Officer of the Year Award Winners:
Arnold Silzer Community Policing Initiative Award: Surrey Gang Enforcement Team
Police and Business Partnership Award: Save On Foods – Store #2207
Municipal Employee of the Year Award: Marnie Neal
Volunteer of the Year Award: Steve Gyorgy
Auxiliary of the Year Award: Auxiliary Kim Treider
Police Team Award: E-Watch
Police Officer of the Year Award - Nominated by Peers: Constable Karen Baker
Police Officer of the Year Award - Nominated by Community: Constable Richard Wright
ARNOLD SILZER COMMUNITY POLICING INITIATIVE AWARD
Surrey Gang Enforcement Team
The Surrey Gang Enforcement Team (SGET) reduces gang violence by using a variety of evidence-based enforcement strategies, and community engagement with youth and at-risk individuals. This unique, problem-solving approach empowers youth to avoid gang recruitment while simultaneously disrupting individuals currently engaged in gang-related crime. In 2018, SGET developed a new community program called the Inadmissible Patrons Program. This program deters violent crime by removing individuals from participating establishments if their lifestyle, associations and activities pose a risk to public safety. This program also empowers local business owners and employees by providing an active solution to combating gang violence. SGET is involved in over 1,000 investigations a year that result in a large volume of criminal charges, and seizures of vehicles, firearms and thousands of dollars in illicit drugs and illegal currency. SGET is helping to drive down drug trafficking and violent crime related to gang activity.
POLICE AND BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Save On Foods – Store #2207
Every day, Surrey RCMP officers support individuals dealing with homelessness, mental health challenges, addictions and crisis. Officers are able to connect many of these clients to dedicated volunteers and staff at Surrey Urban Mission (SUM). Save On Foods at 10312 King George Boulevard is one of SUM’s largest and most consistent food and grocery donors. The volume of donations provided by the store has allowed SUM to focus their limited funds to help their guests with various services and outreach. Save On Foods also make a big difference in the overall health and diet of guests. Thanks in part to the generosity of Save On Foods, SUM serves over 2,500 hot meals per week. Many guests also leave with loaves of bread, cookies, or fresh produce that have been generously donated. The Surrey RCMP is grateful to Save On Foods.
MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Marnie Neal
Marnie Neal has been a case worker with Surrey RCMP Victim Services since 2004. Marnie assists individuals in extremely stressful circumstances such as domestic violence, elder abuse, next of kin notifications, break and enters, sexual assaults, and missing persons. She has attended over 500 crisis calls to support victims and witnesses at the scene. Marnie spearheaded the creation of the Bereavement Guide and the Critical Incident Trauma Guide, which are comprehensive resources for families and victims of traumatic events. The guides are updated annually with new resources and concerns, including the effects of the fentanyl crisis and having information in additional languages. Marnie also initiated the Facility Dog Program. She is now the primary handler for Cambria, a Justice Facility Dog. Marnie and Cambria have attended Neighbourhood Incident Response Support Team events to support citizens who have been affected by a violent crime.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Steve Gyorgy
In 4 years, Steve Gyorgy has volunteered over 700 hours to community engagement, traffic safety and crime prevention programs in Surrey. He is always willing to accommodate any training or shift deployments. He helps with pop-up detachments, open houses, Cops for Cancer events, and traffic safety campaigns such as Project Swoop, pedestrian safety and distracted driving. Steve is always early for his shift to help with set up and other tasks to support Community Program Coordinators. He often takes on the difficult or necessary tasks such as installing signs, even if that means missing the fun parts of an event. No task is too small for Steve. Even at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, he helped clean up. Steve can be counted on to mentor new volunteers, always bringing a positive attitude. His commitment to the Surrey RCMP Volunteer program is something to be admired.
AUXILIARY OF THE YEAR AWARD
Auxiliary Kim Treider
Kim Treider has been an Auxiliary with the Surrey RCMP for 15 years. During his service, he has contributed over 1,000 hours to the detachment and the city by assisting with road safety initiatives, crime prevention activities, and community events. In 2018, Kim composed a proposal for how auxiliaries could effectively support the Surrey RCMP Traffic Section with an impaired driving enforcement campaign. As a result of his efforts, auxiliaries were able to participate in this 3-night campaign and support police officers by checking for stolen licence plates and uninsured vehicles, noting any suspicious or criminal activity. Kim’s extensive local knowledge and his many years in the auxiliary program have made him a trusted source for both detachment staff and his fellow auxiliaries.
POLICE TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD
E-Watch
Frontline policing, often referred to as “boots on the ground”, consists of 4 Watches that respond to calls for service 24/7. In 2015 a smaller Watch, E-Watch, was created to respond to calls for service during peak policing times, and to conduct proactive, intelligence-led policing in line with the Surrey RCMP Crime Reduction Strategy. Last year, Sergeant Dale Jackson conducted a review of E-Watch to assess its overall effectiveness. Enhancements were made to E-Watch’s service delivery and mandate, resulting in significant increases in performance and proactive initiatives. Prior to these changes, E-Watch produced 5,682 proactive files in 2018. Just halfway through 2019, E-Watch has produced 8,746 proactive files due to the team’s drive to enhance public safety. It is anticipated E-Watch will produce over 16,000 proactive files this year, an increase of over 280%.
POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD- NOMINATED BY PEERS
Constable Karen Baker
Constable Karen Baker worked with Transit Police and the City of Surrey to create a policy for police to obtain CCTV footage of incidents that occurred in Scott Road SkyTrain parking lots. She developed a safety project which was featured by several media outlets to educate commuters on how to lock out auto crime. The City of Surrey adopted the project, which is still in existence today. In 2013, while working General Duty in North Surrey, Constable Baker attended a call for service where a domestic assault was in progress.
Police Officer of the Year (nominated by peers): Constable Karen Baker with the Surrey Youth Unit for her dedication to finding creative solutions to public safety concerns, including a school zone #WalkingWednesdays initiative. @SBofT #POY23 pic.twitter.com/5EuDqsQZA6
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) October 11, 2019
Upon arrival the subject of complaint attempted to take a young infant as a shield in order to avoid arrest. Constable Baker and her partner acted quickly to intervene and, in the end, she was severely injured and forced into medical rehabilitation. In 2015, Constable Baker was assigned to the Surrey RCMP Youth Unit where she participates in programs such as Big Brothers In-School Mentoring Program, Code Blue and Mini Blue programs, and anti-bullying campaigns.
POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD - NOMINATED BY COMMUNITY
Constable Richard Wright
Constable Wright represents the RCMP at numerous community events including the Surrey RCMP Basketball Classic, Pride Flag Raising at Surrey Detachment, Hands Across the Border, Cloverdale Rodeo, Surrey Board of Trade Top 25 Under 25, Surrey Steps Up, and various Safe Schools events. He developed a community engagement event for Fraser Valley Heritage Rail that included a First Responders’ Day. Corporal Wright’s singing talents have been on display with his singing of “God Save the Queen” at the E-Division Changing of the Commanding Officer ceremony, and in a viral video of him singing a duet from the movie Frozen at the Cloverdale Kids Expo.
Police Officer of the Year (nominated by the community): Constable Richard Wright for his dedication to mentoring youth and outstanding efforts in community engagement. @SBofT #POY23 pic.twitter.com/c4LHuIa8ck
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) October 11, 2019
Constable Wright has become an informal mentor to a Surrey youth. He spent a considerable amount of time providing advice to Brahmroop Sandhu, who went on to win the Surrey Board of Trade’s Top 25 under 25 Award in 2019 for his volunteerism and community engagement. He now works for the Canadian Border Services Agency. Brahmroop says Constable Wright’s mentorship changed his life forever.
I am beyond grateful for the support from my family and my colleagues at #SurreyRCMP and for the recognition from #SBofT. We accomplish nothing alone. Work together - that is when we excel. #POY23 pic.twitter.com/8HVV3sRWMj
— Richard Wright (@RichardInRed) October 11, 2019
Tonight I’m at the Surrey Police Officer of the Year Awards hosted by @SBofT at @sheratongldfrd. A full house to hear OIC Dwayne McDonald speak a little later. The “Keep RCMP in Surrey” gang is here too. @SurreyRCMP @SurreyNowLeader pic.twitter.com/kv7yHYpDwu
— Tom Zillich (@TomZillich) October 11, 2019
