Northwest Mounties recognized as part of 38th Annual Police Honours Night

One member who has served in the Terrace detachment and two from  the Hazelton's made up the Northwest list for the 2019 edition of the annual Police Honours Night,  a ceremony that brought the recipients to a gala evening In Victoria on  last Thursday evening.

Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth presented the awards to 114 law enforcement personnel from across the province at the event, hailing the work that they do on a daily basis to protect British Columbians.

In all 30 of the recipients received the provinces highest award of valour for a police officer in British Columbian, with an additional 84 police officers celebrated for a number of instances of meritorious service.

"It takes a special kind of person to serve in law enforcement, those who know the dangers and challenges of their profession but remain committed to serve with pride and never shy away from their duty. Tonight's honourees are examples of that commitment in action and on behalf of all British Columbians, we thank officers just like them all across the province for their immeasurable contributions to public safety." -- Mike Farworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General for British Columbia.

Lt Governor Janet Austin speaking to the honourees at last Thursday's
38th Annual Police Honours Night in Victoria

Among the Northwest members of the RCMP honoured Thursday were:

Corporal Douglas MacFarland who while posted to the Terrace detachment, showcased exceptional dedication and commitment to conclude a lengthy and complex child pornography investigation.  Corporal MacFarland has since relocated to a detachment in Newfoundland.

Corporal Fraser Bjornson and Constable Devon Slade climbed down a steel suspension cable to rescue a suicidal female from a construction walkway under a bridge in New Hazelton.  Corporal Bjornson has since relocated to the Williams Lake Detachment.

The full list of those recognized at the Victoria ceremony can be reviewed here.

The Terrace RCMP has also paid recognition to an honour received days prior by Constable Angela Rabut, who received the 2019 Indigenous Policing Award for E Division North District First Nations Policing in British Columbia.

The constable has served out of the Terrace detachment for more than a decade.

Staff Sergeant Michael Robinson made note of her dedication as part of the Terrace Detachment's statement of recognition for the honours for their members.

This is not the first award she has received during her time here and it serves as a testament to her hard work and unwavering commitment to the people of Terrace.

The Terrace RCMP is extremely proud and pleased to see this well-deserved recognition awarded to these two members. 

While Cpl. MacFarland has since moved on from Terrace, we’re fortunate to still feel the benefits and impact of the work he put forth during his time here.

The staff sergeant also observed as to the work of policing and how those who pursue it as a career, do not do so in quest of honours but as a sense of duty to community.

Not only is recognition not expected by the officers who show up to work every day, it’s the contrary that’s more commonly received. In my 23 years of policing, I’ve seen how easy it is for us to receive criticisms; that’s the stuff that often gets back to our front line workers, but it’s also what makes this type of positive recognition that much more meaningful.

You can review more of his comments, as well as further background on the two members from the Terrace statement here.

For more items of interest on the work of Northwest Emergency Responders in the Northwest see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.