For his exceptional years of service, Chief Const. Dave Jones was inducted into the Order of Merit of the Police Forces at a ceremony in Ottawa on Friday (May 24).
The New Westminster police chief was recognized as a member of the order by Dave Johnston, Governor General of Canada, at the Governor's residence, Rideau Hall, according to a press release from the police department.
"You don't enter a job to receive, or look for, awards, but it's always nice to receive the recognition," Jones told The Record in a phone interview on Monday. "You set out to do something well and I guess when you receive some recognition for it . you always appreciate that type of thing."
There were 47 members from across the country inducted into the Order.
Members are typically recognized for their years of exceptional service at the local or regional level of policing, according to the release.
Jones began his career with the New Westminster Police Department in 1982 as a volunteer with the reserve police section.
In 1986, he became a fulltime officer and continued to move through the ranks until he was promoted to chief constable in 2011.
"The City of New Westminster is very proud of Chief Const. Jones and his well deserved investiture as a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces," said Mayor Wayne Wright, in the release. "As a member of the NWPD for over 25 years, Chief Jones has dedicated his career to keeping the citizens of our great city safe. His continued leadership and vision on issues of public safety is highly valued by myself and the rest of city council."
During his more than 25year career, Jones worked in a variety of sections, including patrol, major crime, special operations, drug, community services, and street crime.
The Order of Merit of the Police Forces was created to recognize police officers from across Canada for exceptional service, leadership and performance, either at the international, national, provincial, region-al or local level.
There are three levels of membership in the Order of Merit of the Police Forces: commander, officer and member, according to the release.
