RCMP Members Receive High Orders

OTTAWA — May 25, 2007 — Today, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, invested 23 police officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) into the Order of Merit of the Police Forces for their significant contributions to policing and extensive community involvement.

“I congratulate all recipients on receiving one of the highest Canadian honours for a member of a police force and applaud their outstanding commitment and contribution to policing in Canada,” says RCMP Commissioner Bev Busson, Principal Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. “These investitures recognize exceptional RCMP members and their colleagues from many police services across the country who share a common commitment to keep Canadians safe.”

In a ceremony held at Rideau Hall, 53 employees from different police services across Canada were honoured by the Governor General and now hold a prestigious position in the Canadian Honour System. The Governor General pays tribute to Canadian police service employees each year for careers of exceptional service or distinctive merit.

"The men and women of the RCMP being honoured today are a true reflection of the professionalism, courage and commitment that officers across this great country bring to their jobs everyday," said the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety. "On behalf of all Canadians, I commend each and every officer recognized by the Governor General of Canada for exceptional service to their country and the policing community."

The Order has three levels of membership—Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (C.O.M.), Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (O.O.M.) and Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (M.O.M)—that reflect long-term outstanding service with varying degrees of responsibility.

The following RCMP employees were invested into the Order in 2007:

Atlantic Region

• Chief Superintendent Randy Starrett Robar, O.O.M. - Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
• Inspector David Gerard Wojcik, M.O.M. - Halifax, Nova Scotia
• Sergeant Major Robert Gordon James Gallup, M.O.M. - Fredericton, New Brunswick
• Staff Sergeant David Raymond Tipple, M.O.M. - St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

Central Region

• Staff Sergeant Lawren Andrew Nause, M.O.M. - Newmarket, Ontario
• Sergeant Deborah June Pond, M.O.M. - London, Ontario
• Corporal Michel Bérubé, M.O.M. - Montréal, Quebec
• Constable Ralph F. Edwards, M.O.M. - Hamilton, Ontario

Headquarters

• Assistant Commissioner Sandra Mae Marie Conlin, O.O.M. - Ottawa, Ontario
• Assistant Commissioner Michael F. McDonell, O.O.M. - Ottawa, Ontario

North West Region

• Assistant Commissioner Howard Darrell Martin Madill, O.O.M. - Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Chief Superintendent Patrick F. McCloskey, M.O.M. - Yellowknife, North West Territories
• Inspector Robert John Williams, M.O.M. - Edmonton, Alberta
• Staff Sergeant Warren L. Ganes, M.O.M. - Innisfail, Alberta
• Staff Sergeant Robert Wayne Meredith, M.O.M. - Edmonton, Alberta
• Staff Sergeant Kathleen Ann King, M.O.M. - Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Sergeant Brenton Robert Baulkham, M.O.M. - Edmonton, Alberta
• Constable Lesley-Jane Ripley, M.O.M. - Edmonton, Alberta

Pacific Region

• Superintendent Gordon Christopher McRae, M.O.M. - Surrey, British Columbia
• Inspector Donald John Adam, M.O.M. - Surrey, British Columbia
• Inspector Terry Wayne Kopan, M.O.M., C.D. - Vancouver, British Columbia
• Inspector Brian Robert Pitman, M.O.M. - Surrey, British Columbia
• Corporal Thomas David Clark, M.O.M. - Victoria, British Columbia

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