New Westminster Police’s top brass were among 71 municipal police officers from across the province who were recognized for their dedication last month.
Chief Const. Dave Jones, along with Deputy Chief Const. Dave Jansen and Inspectors Paul Hyland, Todd Matsumoto and Doug Walcott, now retired, all qualified for a Police Officer Commission – a relatively new honour that recognizes senior members of municipal police forces.
Deputy Chief Const. Dave Jansen, left, and
Inspectors Paul Hyland, right, and Todd
Matsumoto, centre, were named to the
provincial Police Officer Commission.
“It’s always nice to receive some recognition for accomplishments; I think everybody likes that no matter what job you’re in,” Jones told the Record.
To qualify for the award, which was first given out last year to retired Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu, the local cops each required 10 or more years of police service in B.C.; a bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent, or the rank of inspector or higher for a minimum of four years; and a qualifying supervisor or police board’s recommendation.
The new commissions were created to honour senior members of municipal police departments in a similar fashion as the RCMP, noted a press release from the Ministry of Public Safety.
Jones said it was nice to get the nod, and it felt especially great coming from the provincial level of government.
“It does well to recognize those who have achieved that level of both rank and experience and education within policing,” he added.
