RCMP Members to be invested into the Order of Merit of the Police Forces

see also: Backgrounder — Order of Merit of the Police Forces

OTTAWA - June 24, 2005 - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is proud to announce that 22 regular members and one (1) civilian member will be invested into the Order of Merit of Police Forces. This Order holds a prestigious position in the Canadian Honour System, alongside the Order of Military Merit.

In a ceremony to be held at Rideau Hall on June 28, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada and RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli, Principal Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, will be honoring members of the police forces for their outstanding contribution to the collective safety, security and well-being of our communities.

“As Commissioner of the RCMP, I am proud of the outstanding contribution our members make everyday to the lives of Canadians. I congratulate these 23 exceptional members for their investiture into the Order of Merit of Police Forces. This appointment recognizes their ongoing professionalism and dedication to policing and their commitment to go above and beyond the call of duty, ” said Commissioner Zaccardelli.

There are three levels of membership–Commander of the Order of Merit for the Polices Forces (C.O.M.), Officer of the Order of Merit for the Polices Forces (O.O.M.) and Member of the Order of Merit for the Polices Forces (M.O.M.)–that reflect long-term, outstanding service in varying degrees of responsibility.

The following RCMP members will be honoured for their devotion and contributions extending beyond protection of the community:

• Assistant Commissioner Gary David Bass, Pacific Region, O.O.M,
• Assistant Commissioner J.Y.F.P.-Y. (Pierre-Yves) Bourduas, “C” Division, M.O.M.
• Constable Joseph Louis Serge Yvon Brault, “A” Division, M.O.M.
• Deputy Commissioner G.B. (Gerry) Braun, North West Region, O.O.M.
• Assistant Commissioner J.A.J. (Mike) Buisson, Headquarters, O.O.M.
• Staff Sergeant T. Kevin V. Cleary, “H” Division, M.O.M.
• Sergeant Gilford John Dares, “H” Division, M.O.M.
• Corporal Stephan Demers, “A” Division, M.O.M.
• Inspector Mark Dibblee, “K” Division, M.O.M.
• Constable Stephen Joseph Gloade, “H” Division, M.O.M.
• Assistant Commissioner Stephen W. Graham, “J” Division, M.O.M.
• Staff Sergeant Patricia Anne Harrish, “K” Division, M.O.M.
• Assistant Commissioner Timothy G. Killam, Headquarters, O.O.M.
• Staff Sergeant John M. Leitch, “F” Division, M.O.M.
• Superintendent Jeff Stanley Lott, “E” Division, M.O.M.
• Assistant Commissioner Walter Gerald Lynch, “B” Division, O.O.M.
• Staff Sergeant Kevin A. MacDougall, “D” Division, M.O.M.
• Assistant Commissioner J.M.G. (John) MacLaughlan, Headquarters, M.O.M.
• Chief Superintendent Graham Richard Muir, Headquarters, M.O.M.
• Civilian Member Tonita Murray, Headquarters, O.O.M.
• Chief Superintendent Dwight William Robinson, “D” Division, M.O.M.
• Assistant Commissioner William Melvin Sweeney, “K” Division, O.O.M.
• Corporal Paul S. Thompson, “O” Division, M.O.M.

For media enquiries, please contact:

RCMP Public Affairs and Communication Services Directorate
(613) 993-2999

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Backgrounder — Order of Merit of the Police Forces

The Order of Merit of the Police Forces was established in October 2000 as a fellowship of honour, based on the highest qualities of citizenship, service to Canada, to the police community and to humanity at large.

The Queen is the Sovereign of the Order, the Governor General serves as the Chancellor and a Commander of the Order, and the Commissioner of the RCMP is the Principal Commander of the Order.

There are three levels of membership–Commander of the Order of Merit for the Polices Forces (C.O.M.), Officer of the Order of Merit for the Polices Forces (O.O.M.) and Member of the Order of Merit for the Polices Forces (M.O.M.)–that reflect long-term, outstanding service in varying degrees of responsibility.

Following is the list of RCMP recipients with their citations:

Assistant Commissioner Gary David Bass, O.O.M.
Pacific Region, Vancouver, British Columbia

Throughout his outstanding career, Assistant Commissioner Bass has distinguished himself as an operational police officer of excellence in the service of all Canadians. His dedicated and meritorious service has brought great credit to his police service and to Canada.

Assistant Commissioner J.Y.F.P.-Y. (Pierre-Yves) Bourduas, M.O.M.
“C” Division, Westmount, Quebec

Assistant Commissioner Bourduas is a visionary who has distinguished himself through his exemplary and dynamic leadership. Throughout his career, he has forged strong ties and relationships of trust with the law enforcement community both nationally and internationally.

Constable Joseph Louis Serge Yvon Brault, M.O.M.
“A” Division, Ottawa, Ontario

Right from the beginning of his career, Constable Brault has exhibited outstanding generosity and loyalty to his colleagues and his community. His dedication to his work, his partners and particularly to young people is exceptional and commendable.

Deputy Commissioner G.B. (Gerry) Braun, O.O.M.
North West Region, Regina, Saskatchewan

Throughout his outstanding career, Deputy Commissioner Braun has been instrumental in advancing policing in the province of Manitoba and in the North West Region. His leadership, through bridge-building and teamwork, clearly demonstrates his commitment to the citizens of Canada. As a result of this commitment, he has brought great credit to his police service and to Canada.

Assistant Commissioner J.A.J. (Mike) Buisson, O.O.M.
Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario

Throughout his outstanding career, Assistant Commissioner Buisson has notably contributed to the improvement of illegal firearms programs both nationally and internationally. His displayed commitment to front-line police investigations and investigators is a credit to his police service and to Canada.

Staff Sergeant T. Kevin V. Cleary, M.O.M.
“H” Division, New Minas, Nova Scotia

Throughout his outstanding career, Staff Sergeant Cleary has displayed dedication to duty, professionalism, exemplary leadership and commitment to excellence in delivering superior police service to the citizens of Nova Scotia. Staff Sergeant Cleary’s high ethical standards and values have brought great credit to his community, police service, and Canada.

Sergeant Gilford John Dares, M.O.M.
“H” Division, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Throughout his outstanding career, Sergeant Dares has exuded an enthusiasm and an unfettered, selfless energy that have inspired others to share in his vision of a caring community. Through his significant community policing skills, Sergeant Dares has brought great credit to his police service and Canada.

Corporal Stephan Demers, M.O.M.
“A” Division, Ottawa, Ontario

Throughout his outstanding career, Constable Demers has demonstrated compassion and commitment to helping others in the community and workplace. His contributions to the Member/Employee Assistance Program has been truly outstanding. As a result of his outstanding dedication, Constable Demers has brought great credit to his police service and to Canada.

Inspector Mark Dibblee, M.O.M.
“K” Division, Leduc, Alberta

Throughout his outstanding career, Inspector Dibblee has displayed exemplary leadership, dedication and distinguished service. His many community policing initiatives and esprit de corps have brought great credit to his police service and Canada.

Constable Stephen Joseph Gloade, M.O.M.
“H” Division, North Sydney, Nova Scotia

Throughout his outstanding career, Constable Gloade has exhibited his personal and professional dedication to the RCMP and First Nations people. Constable Gloade is committed to decreasing the use and abuse of illegal and prescription drugs and increasing the number of opportunities available to First Nations children and youth. Through these efforts, Constable Gloade has brought great credit to his police service and to Canada.

Assistant Commissioner Stephen William Graham, M.O.M.
“J” Division, Fredericton, New Brunswick

Throughout his outstanding career, Assistant Commissioner Graham has displayed outstanding leadership and dedication to duty within the various communities in which he served. Assistant Commissioner Graham’s commitment to community policing and youth, coupled with his keen organizational abilities, has brought great credit to his police service and Canada.

Staff Sergeant Patricia Anne Harrish, M.O.M.
“K” Division, Edmonton, Alberta

Throughout her outstanding career, Staff Sergeant Harrish has displayed a relentless enthusiasm for policing via the provision of quality services to her clients and colleagues. Staff Sergeant Harrish’s exceptional dedication to duty and her community has brought great credit to her police service and Canada.

Assistant Commissioner Timothy G. Killam, O.O.M.
Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario

Throughout his outstanding career, Assistant Commissioner Killam has exemplified leadership, integrity and accountability while advancing police professionalism and the development of innovative solutions to address global law enforcement efforts to combat organized crime.

Staff Sergeant John M. Leitch, M.O.M.
“F” Division, Regina, Saskatchewan

Throughout his outstanding career, Staff Sergeant Leitch has displayed strong leadership and an outstanding commitment to the RCMP and the Province of Saskatchewan. His outstanding investigative and technological skills, while maintaining a positive life/work balance, are a credit to his police service and Canada.

Superintendent Jeff Stanley Lott, M.O.M.
“E” Division, Nanaimo, British Columbia

Throughout his outstanding career, Superintendent Lott has exhibited outstanding leadership and commitment to strengthening communities through partnerships and relationship building. His embrace of multiculturalism and his respect of diversity have brought great credit to his police service and Canada.

Assistant Commissioner Walter Gerald Lynch, O.O.M.
“B” Division, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

Throughout his outstanding career, Assistant Commissioner Lynch has displayed exemplary leadership and dedication to duty. Through the establishment and championship of valuable partnerships and meaningful integration within the policing communities, he has brought recognition to policing at the local and international levels. Assistant Commissioner Lynch is a great credit to his police service and Canada.

Staff Sergeant Kevin A. MacDougall, M.O.M.
“D” Division, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Throughout his outstanding career, Staff Sergeant MacDougall has displayed dedication and exceptional leadership in advancing productive and effective labour/management relations. His efforts have benefited his colleagues in the RCMP and the communities in which he serves. Staff Sergeant MacDougall is a credit to his police service and Canada.

Assistant Commissioner J.M.G. (John) MacLaughlan, M.O.M.
Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario

Throughout his outstanding career, Assistant Commissioner MacLaughlan has significantly influenced investigative techniques, intelligence-led policing and has been a leading proponent of an integrated approach within the law enforcement community at the national and international levels. Through these efforts, he has brought great credit to his police service and to Canada.

Chief Superintendent Graham Richard Muir, M.O.M.
Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario

Throughout his outstanding career, Chief Superintendent Muir has exemplified the highest level of public service, both nationally and internationally. He has demonstrated visionary thinking, organizational leadership and horizontal management in furtherance of providing quality policing. Through his dedication to duty, Chief Superintendent Muir has brought great credit to his police service and to Canada.

Civilian Member Tonita Murray, O.O.M.
Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario

Throughout the course of her career, Mrs. Murray has distinguished herself as a progressive thinker, innovative researcher, writer, educator and organizational leader. Mrs. Murray’s commitment to the highest standards of service, both nationally and internationally, has brought great credit to her police service and to Canada.

Chief Superintendent Dwight William Robinson, M.O.M.
“D” Division, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Throughout his outstanding career, Chief Superintendent Robinson has notably contributed to Canadian Law Enforcement. His work in the development of an effective police response to labour unrest has brought credit to his police service and to Canada.

Assistant Commissioner William Melvin Sweeney, O.O.M.
“K” Division, Edmonton, Alberta

Throughout his outstanding career, Assistant Commissioner Sweeney has distinguished himself as an exemplary leader, forward thinker and an innovative police officer. Assistant Commissioner Sweeney’s exceptional dedication to his community and to the safety and security of its citizens has brought great credit to his police service and Canada.

Corporal Paul S. Thompson, M.O.M.
“O” Division, Kitchener, Ontario

Throughout his outstanding career, Corporal Thompson has provided distinguished service to the citizens of Canada and to the policing community. He is a visionary leader who exemplifies integrity, honesty and professionalism. Through these personal ethics, Corporal Thompson has brought great credit to his police service and to Canada.

For information, please contact:
RCMP Media Relations
(613) 993-2999