Source: Ottawa Citizen
Three Ottawa police officers were awarded the Order of Merit of the Police Forces by the Governor General Friday at Rideau Hall.
In all, 49 people received the order — one was named a commander, four made officers and 44 were named members.
Staff Sgt. Rob Bernier, Staff Sgt. Isobel Granger and Insp. Chris Renwick were all made members of the Order, which “recognizes exceptional service or performance of duty over an extended period, usually at the local or regional/provincial level.”
Bernier coordinates the force’s emergency services unit, which conducts ground and evidence searches as part of large investigations.
Granger is the former head of the domestic violence unit and is currently on a United Nations peacemaking mission in Cambodia, investigating war crimes of the Khmer Rouge.
Renwick oversees special operations criminal investigations at the Ottawa police, including the drug, guns and gangs and criminal intelligence units. He is also the drum major of the force’s pipe band.
Chief Charles Bordeleau told the Citizen that he was “very proud” of the three officers.
“Each of them, in their own way, has contributed to advancing policing significantly and have given back to their community in a meaningful way,” Bordeleau said. “The award bestowed upon them today by the Governor General is very deserving.”
The Order was created in 2000 to acknowledge merit and exceptional service by officers and civilian employees of Canadia police forces “whose contributions extend beyond protection of the community.” The focus of the recognition is on community development in addition to efforts in policing.
Any officer or civilian can be nominated for the order by having their name submitted to their own chief of police, who then forwards the name to an advisory committee. The commissioner of the RCMP, the Principal Commander of the Order, then submits recommendations for appointment to the governor general.