Halifax Regional Police names 2015 Police Officer of the Year and other award winners

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Halifax Regional Police presented its 2015 annual awards on Saturday evening at our annual Gala, with the following employees being recognized: 

  • Detective Constable Bernie Boutilier was named Police Officer of the Year for his dedication and the vast knowledge he brings to HRP. His particular role within the Criminal Investigation Division requires a high level of expertise and responsibility and he is able to handle this duty commendably well. He is highly respected among his peers, readily volunteers to take on new tasks and welcomes opportunities to better his skills.
  • Val Parsons of the Central Divisional Office was named Civilian Employee of the Year for embodying distinguished service and consistently going above and beyond what is required.
  • Detective Constable Todd Blake of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division received the Investigators of the Year award for excellence in investigation. 
  •  Sergeant Joanne McNeil of the Patrol Divison and Sherri Loadman of the Crime Analysis Unit received Supervisor of the Year Awards. They are both fair and consistent leaders who treat all with dignity and respect, and understand and support work-life balance. 
  • Constable Andrew Samaha, a patrol officer, received the New Blue Award which is presented to an officer with five years or less policing experience who has shown a great deal of promise by demonstrating professionalism, high integrity and excellence in policing. 
  • Voted on by HRP employees, the sworn and civilian Employees’ Choice Awards went to Constable Mark Stevens and Wendy Boyd. They arewell-rounded individuals who have made sustained and outstanding contributions to both HRP and the community through their actions and attitude."
  • The team of the Year Award went to the HRP Training Section, our full-time training team that is dedicated to devising and delivering training to our sworn members and civilian employees. The HRP Training Section is a highly effective team of dedicated employees who continue to provide an impressive level of professionalism within HRP.  
  • An HRP Achievement Award was presented to Constable Jeff Nicholson for his sustained and long-lasting commitment to HRP and our community through his volunteer work. 

The evening also represented an opportunity to applaud those employees who retired in 2015. Twenty police officers and 10 civilian employees were recognized for their years of service. They departed Halifax Regional Police with 806 years of combined service. 

We salute our 2015 award winners and retirees for their dedication to policing, public safety and our community.