The Vancouver Police Board and Vancouver Police Department will recognize citizens and employees for acts of bravery and for going “beyond the call” at the annual Commendation Award ceremony taking place today.
“Every day, I hear about the extraordinary work of our police officers and civilian members, and I feel very proud to be the Chief of such a hardworking and dedicated department,” says Chief Constable Adam Palmer, VPD.
“However, we don’t always get to share these stories with the community as they happen. I really look forward to this ceremony so we can celebrate and recognize acts of bravery and excellence by not just our members, but the public as well.”
Awards of Merit will be presented by Mayor Kennedy Stewart and the Vancouver Police Board to citizens who have assisted the police in preventing a crime, apprehending or attempting to apprehend an offender, or attempting to save a life.
This year’s recipients include a group of people who stopped a man after he stole a car and hit a pedestrian, two Canadian Tire employees who intervened in a violent attack in 2016, and three men who helped evacuate residents and pets from an apartment building during a fire.
The Chief Constable’s Commendations and Citations will be presented to VPD sworn and civilian members. There are 14 awards being presented, including awards for rescuing a distraught woman from the frigid waters of Coal Harbour, apprehending a man with a knife who ambushed three officers, and arresting two men in the middle of a home invasion.
The Jim and Vicki Chu Community Safety Leader Award will also be given out, as will the Vancouver Police Officer and Civilian Employee of the Year.