OTTAWA — May 25, 2007 — Today, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, invested 23 police officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) into the Order of Merit of the Police Forces for their significant contributions to policing and extensive community involvement.
“I congratulate all recipients on receiving one of the highest Canadian honours for a member of a police force and applaud their outstanding commitment and contribution to policing in Canada,” says RCMP Commissioner Bev Busson, Principal Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. “These investitures recognize exceptional RCMP members and their colleagues from many police services across the country who share a common commitment to keep Canadians safe.”
In a ceremony held at Rideau Hall, 53 employees from different police services across Canada were honoured by the Governor General and now hold a prestigious position in the Canadian Honour System. The Governor General pays tribute to Canadian police service employees each year for careers of exceptional service or distinctive merit.
"The men and women of the RCMP being honoured today are a true reflection of the professionalism, courage and commitment that officers across this great country bring to their jobs everyday," said the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety. "On behalf of all Canadians, I commend each and every officer recognized by the Governor General of Canada for exceptional service to their country and the policing community."
The Order has three levels of membership—Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (C.O.M.), Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (O.O.M.) and Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (M.O.M)—that reflect long-term outstanding service with varying degrees of responsibility.
The following RCMP employees were invested into the Order in 2007:
Atlantic Region
Chief Superintendent Randy Starrett Robar, O.O.M. - Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Inspector David Gerard Wojcik, M.O.M. - Halifax, Nova Scotia
Sergeant Major Robert Gordon James Gallup, M.O.M. - Fredericton, New Brunswick
Staff Sergeant David Raymond Tipple, M.O.M. - St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Central Region
Staff Sergeant Lawren Andrew Nause, M.O.M. - Newmarket, Ontario
Sergeant Deborah June Pond, M.O.M. - London, Ontario
Corporal Michel Bérubé, M.O.M. - Montréal, Quebec
Constable Ralph F. Edwards, M.O.M. - Hamilton, Ontario
Headquarters
Assistant Commissioner Sandra Mae Marie Conlin, O.O.M. - Ottawa, Ontario
Assistant Commissioner Michael F. McDonell, O.O.M. - Ottawa, Ontario
North West Region
Assistant Commissioner Howard Darrell Martin Madill, O.O.M. - Winnipeg, Manitoba
Chief Superintendent Patrick F. McCloskey, M.O.M. - Yellowknife, North West Territories
Inspector Robert John Williams, M.O.M. - Edmonton, Alberta
Staff Sergeant Warren L. Ganes, M.O.M. - Innisfail, Alberta
Staff Sergeant Robert Wayne Meredith, M.O.M. - Edmonton, Alberta
Staff Sergeant Kathleen Ann King, M.O.M. - Winnipeg, Manitoba
Sergeant Brenton Robert Baulkham, M.O.M. - Edmonton, Alberta
Constable Lesley-Jane Ripley, M.O.M. - Edmonton, Alberta
Pacific Region
Superintendent Gordon Christopher McRae, M.O.M. - Surrey, British Columbia
Inspector Donald John Adam, M.O.M. - Surrey, British Columbia
Inspector Terry Wayne Kopan, M.O.M., C.D. - Vancouver, British Columbia
Inspector Brian Robert Pitman, M.O.M. - Surrey, British Columbia
Corporal Thomas David Clark, M.O.M. - Victoria, British Columbia
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