GUEST BLOGGER - JUDI COHEN, MEMBER OF THE TORONTO POLICE SERVICES BOARD
Last night I had the honour of representing the Toronto Police Services Board at the Officer of the Year Award event. This award, created by the Toronto Board of Trade, recognizes Toronto Police Service officers who have significantly contributed to making Toronto one of the safest cities in the world. This year, there were 23 officers nominated .
As I mentioned in my remarks last night, the men and women who work for the Toronto Police Service are an impressive group. The Service is a world leader in law enforcement, garnering international attention and accolades for its dedicated members and its innovative approach to community policing.
This year, we honoured 23 officers for their part in making Toronto one of the safest cities in the world.
These officers embody the Service’s Core Values, principles that the Service holds paramount and, in so doing, they serve as heroes to Service members and community members alike.
Each nominee has a remarkable story. Each one demonstrates ethical conduct, professionalism, dedication and bravery of the highest degree. Each one went beyond the call of duty and performed impressively and admirably. These officers are our heroes, each one of them.
On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, I want to congratulate this year’s winners - Police Constables Mark Tan, Jennifer Anderson, Frederick Hillier & Trevor Morrison.
You may have read about these officers in the media last December. Here is their story:
On December 10th, 2006 a three-tiered emergency response was initiated at a large water reservoir. Several youths were playing soccer in the vicinity of the reservoir. At this time, one of the boys was standing on the ice for several moments before the thin ice gave way and he was submerged into the frigid water. Three of the boys ran to get help, while another boy proceeded onto the ice in an attempt to rescue his friend. He was able to reach the location, grabbed the victim’s hands and attempted to lift him from the water. The thin ice gave way and the second boy also was engulfed in the water. The sequence of events had been witnessed by a man who quickly grabbed an extension cord from his garage, jumped into his vehicle and drove to the footpath on the east side of the reservoir. Upon arrival he ran to the side of the boys but could only see one boy in the water. He threw the extension cord to the boy but he was unable to grasp the cord due to the onset of hypothermia.
At this time, police units arrived on scene. Constable Mark Tan removed his equipment belt and jacket and immediately entered the water to assist the boys. Constable Jennifer Anderson also entered the water however she was still wearing her equipment belt and jacket. Constables Frederick Hillier and Trevor Morrison stood in the shallow part of the water to assist the other officers. Constable Tan and the witness walked onto the ice and immediately fell through into the frigid waters. They soon realized they could stand on the bottom and began breaking the ice around them in order to walk out to where the victim was floating. Unaware that within a few metres of the shore line there was an abrupt drop, Constables Tan, Anderson and the witness became completely submerged in the water. Constables Hillier and Morrison entered the water and pulled the officers and the witness back to safety. The Toronto Fire Services Recovery boat was launched and together with Marine Unit personnel pulled the boys from the water. One of the boys however succumbed at the scene. The other boy was transported to the hospital but within hours, he too had succumbed.
On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board I want to again extend congratulations to the winners and all of the nominees of the Police Officer of the Year Award. You play a crucial role in keeping the city safe.
This year, we honoured 23 officers for their part in making Toronto one of the safest cities in the world.
These officers embody the Service’s Core Values, principles that the Service holds paramount and, in so doing, they serve as heroes to Service members and community members alike.
Each nominee has a remarkable story. Each one demonstrates ethical conduct, professionalism, dedication and bravery of the highest degree. Each one went beyond the call of duty and performed impressively and admirably. These officers are our heroes, each one of them.
On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, I want to congratulate this year’s winners - Police Constables Mark Tan, Jennifer Anderson, Frederick Hillier & Trevor Morrison.
You may have read about these officers in the media last December. Here is their story:
On December 10th, 2006 a three-tiered emergency response was initiated at a large water reservoir. Several youths were playing soccer in the vicinity of the reservoir. At this time, one of the boys was standing on the ice for several moments before the thin ice gave way and he was submerged into the frigid water. Three of the boys ran to get help, while another boy proceeded onto the ice in an attempt to rescue his friend. He was able to reach the location, grabbed the victim’s hands and attempted to lift him from the water. The thin ice gave way and the second boy also was engulfed in the water. The sequence of events had been witnessed by a man who quickly grabbed an extension cord from his garage, jumped into his vehicle and drove to the footpath on the east side of the reservoir. Upon arrival he ran to the side of the boys but could only see one boy in the water. He threw the extension cord to the boy but he was unable to grasp the cord due to the onset of hypothermia.
At this time, police units arrived on scene. Constable Mark Tan removed his equipment belt and jacket and immediately entered the water to assist the boys. Constable Jennifer Anderson also entered the water however she was still wearing her equipment belt and jacket. Constables Frederick Hillier and Trevor Morrison stood in the shallow part of the water to assist the other officers. Constable Tan and the witness walked onto the ice and immediately fell through into the frigid waters. They soon realized they could stand on the bottom and began breaking the ice around them in order to walk out to where the victim was floating. Unaware that within a few metres of the shore line there was an abrupt drop, Constables Tan, Anderson and the witness became completely submerged in the water. Constables Hillier and Morrison entered the water and pulled the officers and the witness back to safety. The Toronto Fire Services Recovery boat was launched and together with Marine Unit personnel pulled the boys from the water. One of the boys however succumbed at the scene. The other boy was transported to the hospital but within hours, he too had succumbed.
On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board I want to again extend congratulations to the winners and all of the nominees of the Police Officer of the Year Award. You play a crucial role in keeping the city safe.
