“The officers are the every-day heroes that should be treated with gratitude and respect.”
Caroline Mulroney, MPP for York-Simcoe and the province’s former Attorney General, was just one of the dignitaries expressing thanks to the sworn officers, auxiliaries, and civilians oft the South Simcoe Police Service, at Thursday night’s 2019 Service Recognition Awards.
She was joined by Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard, Mayors Lynn Dollin of Innisfil and Rob Keffer of Bradford West Gwillimbury, at the evening of celebration, and recognition.
Police Chief Andrew Fletcher said he was going “a little off-script" to “from the heart,” as he praised the generosity, bravery, commitment and leadership shown by his officers. The awards, Fletcher said, provided “a mere glimpse of the great work that goes on each and every day…. Our success comes from the members of our service who give from themselves, every day” to keep their community safe.
20 Year Service recognition – officers Brent MacDonald, Jason VanderSar, Platoon Sgt. Sean Willan, Civilian 911 Supervisor Sandra Santos.
30 Year Service Bar – Sgt. Craig Johnson, Const. Terri McCallum, Staff Sgt. Sheryl Sutton
Retired in 2019 – Jay Stansbury, Judy Standsbury, Staff Sgt. Lisa Hunt, Staff Sgt. Steve Wilson.
Chief’s Awards of Excellence
Excellence in Traffic Safety went to Sgt. Dave Phillips, for his "boots on the ground leadership." His dedication to making the streets safer for residents. Phillips is known for meeting residents face to face in the community, earning their respect by not "sugarcoating" their concerns but addressing the
issues with facts and empathy.
Excellence in Investigation/Traffic Initiative award went to Const. Rob Griffin and Const. Carl Jarvis.
After conducting speed enforcement on Canal Road in Bradford this past summer, Griffin stopped a suspicious vehicle that had been travelling well under the posted speed limit. This led to an investigation for imparied driving which led to the discovery of a handgun and a connection to an investigation with the Criminal Investigations Bureau, which resulted in the arrest of three for multiple weapon related charges.
Const. Jarvis was recognized for his work after a routine RIDE check which led to the seizure of 64 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated street value of $250,000.
The Excellence in Safety & Crime Prevention award went to Special Constable Elisabeth Aschwanden, for initiatives that include the Citizens' Police Academy, and Seniors' Police Academy programs.
There were two Excellence in Investigation awards, the first one going to David Caccia, Dan Tucker, Shawn Strilec, Jonathan Day, Clint McLellan, Tyler Howey, Andrew Bowen, Mike West, Kyla Thurston, and Terri McCallum.
The team worked together on the case of a robbery at Husky Gas Station on Highway 400 and County Road 88. Through extensive investigation and DNA work, they were able to track down the suspect from an old cigarette butt, left near the scene of the crime. This crucial piece of evidence was what helped lead to an arrest nearly five months later.
The second award went to York Regional Police Det. Colin Organ and Sgt. Kai Johnson.
Their investigative work led them to two arrests and convictions of two people in the string of pharmacy robberies in Bradford and York Region in 2016. The lengthy investigation led to an arrest in October 2019 of two men who are both facing prison sentences.
"These two officers are a testament to the spirit of collaboration and support we enjoy with our neighbouring policing partners."
The Excellence in Emergency Response awards went to two groups. Mark Colucci, David Oxley, Holleigh Vella, Adam Walther, Dana Corporon, and Robyn Bodnaryk were the first to be awarded.
The team aided in the call from a suicidal man in Bradford, who had been waving a knife in front of a family member. The team worked together to taser the man and were able to talk him down in a calm manner and apprehnded under the Mental Health Act and transported to hospital.
The next group to be recognized were Sean Willan, Gerald Crane, Clint McLellan, Shawn Gwilliam and PSD Nitro, Mike Adams, Troy Urbshott, and Shawn Strilec
They aided in the call of an armed Innisfil man in a crisis, suicidal with a firearm. The team of officers were able to talk him down and get him into a mental health ward for further support.
The Excellence in Innovation award was presented to Sue Sgambati for her communication work between the Service and the communities. Her extensive experience in broadcast journalism and media have allowed her to better enhance the image of the Service and all the hard work they do.
Media Awards
Best Media Story wnt to Natasha Philpott, Bradford Today, for her story on the new #BTRU campaign in South Simcoe elementary schools.
Best Media Photo was awarded to Miriam King, Bradford Today for capturing a shot of Sgt. Dave Phillips shortly after the deadly crash on Sept.20 on Yonge St. that claimed the lives of a nine-year-old boy, his father and grandmother. The photo conveyed the true emotion behind the devastating accident, depicting the professionalism and human side of policing.
The Best Radio/TV story was accepted by Barrie 360 News Director Dan Blakely on behalf of the team at Rock 95/Kool FM for their coverage on the Service's first three-day roadside license suspension for cannabis.
Citizen Public Safety Awards were given to three selfless, caring residents of the area for “working together and keeping communities safe.” Joaquim Baptista and Richard Hyland and Warren Giles were recognized for their efforts in keeping the community and residents safe.
In September 2019, Baptista and Hyland spotted a dangerous driver in a Bradford parking lot, who struck a pedestrian then fled up 10th sideroad. They followed the vehicle and were able to restrain them until officers arrived, even after the passengers had assaulted them. Once police arrived on site, the PSD dog, Nitro, located narcotics in the vehicle, which led to an arrest of both the driver and passenger.
Warren Giles was presented with the next award, after he and another unknown resident attempted to save a woman from a burning apartment on Centre Street in Bradford in July 2019. Unfortunately the woman later succumbed to her injuries, but the pair of residents were able to help get others out of the burning building before it was too late.
Auxiliary Awards
Auxiliary Police Officer of the Year was preseted to Ryan Gainer who joined SSP in 2017 and is consistently voluteering his time with events in both Bradford and Innisfil. He also works countless hours with the Service's K9 unit.
Auxillary Police Meritorious Action Award went to David Stea for his work on a call involving a death investigation. While on site, Stea was able to keep the many family members on site calm in the emotional and chaotic situation.
There were two Special Presentations. One recognizing Jeff Stovold of Lefroy Harbour, Kon Tiki Marine, the Cookstown-North Toronto KOA Campgrounds, for his decades of support for policing and Rod Hicks – past president of the Bradford West Gwillimbury-Innisfil Police Services Board for his years of service. He was awarded with a 24 karat handcrafted gold pin made by Bradford's Peter Dykie Jewellery.
Emcee K.C. Colby, of CTV Barrie, summed up the evening, held at the Innisfil Community Church: “This is what it’s all about – recognition.”
Pastor Courtney of Innisfil Community Church concluded the night with a prayer, followed by the Marching Out The Colours by the Colour Party, piped in by Piper Robert Post.
Congratulations to all the award winners and thank you for your hard work and dedication for keeping South Simcoe safe.
