Two of New Westminster's finest were among 69 police officers in the province to receive awards for service at last week's B.C. Police Honours Night.
Former Chief Const. Lorne Zapotichny and Const. Gerald Lau were both recognized at the Nov. 17 ceremony, presided over by Lt.-Gov. Steven Point and Solicitor General Shirley Bond.
Zapotichny, who retired from New Westminster Police Service in February, was presented an award recognizing his outstanding service to policing in B.C. from 1968 to 2011. He spent his last 10 years in service as chief constable in New Westminster.
Lau was among 22 officers recognized for valor for "exemplary service in the face of extreme hazard and personal risk."
Specifically, Lau was recognized for bravery he showed while off-duty when he came to the aid of a fellow officer struggling with an aggressive suspect who had a hold of the officer's firearms holster.
Burnaby-Lougheed MLA Harry Bloy offered praise for the two distinguished officers.
"Chief Const. Zapotichny and Constable Lau not only deserve congratulations on their awards. They also deserve our thanks for keeping New Westminster residents safe. We are truly fortunate to have brave officers like these who serve and protect around the province," he said in a press release.
The honorees are selected by a committee of representatives from the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police and the ministry of public safety and solicitor general's police services division.
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