News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Twenty-seven Canadian peace officers praised for their long and exemplary service to Canada

May 12, 2006
Ottawa, Ontario

Twenty-seven Canadian peace officers were praised today by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, for their long and exemplary service to Canada.

“These dedicated men and women have spent most of their working lives protecting and preserving Canada’s wildlife, aquatic species, oceans, national parks and national historic sites, and ensuring the security of our borders,” said the Prime Minister. “Through their actions and their long service they have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to conserving our natural and cultural heritage, to ensuring the safety of Canadians and international visitors. Their commitment has helped to make Canada the great and proud nation it is today.”

The 27 peace officers – five from Environment Canada, five from Parks Canada, six from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, five from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and six from the Canada Border Services Agency – were the recipients of the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal, which was presented by Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, in a special ceremony held at Rideau Hall this morning.

Awarded for the first time ever this year, the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal was bestowed on Garry Bogdan, Gary Dick, Régent Lalonde, Gary Colgan and Guy Lafranchise of Environment Canada’s Enforcement Directorate; Douglas Butt, Jean-Yves Bernatchez, Denis Burnip, Ross William Jones, Norman Smith and Peter Wilfred Taylor of Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Daniel Couchie, Duane Martin, Derek Tilson, Scott Ward and Gaétan Synnott of Parks Canada; Karen Fata, Brian O’Connell, Daniel Alexander, Wendy Hickey (deceased), Rose-Ann Jang and Neil Mooney of the Canada Border Services Agency; and Salvatore Cutro, David Johnston, Graham Alldridge, Mike Bataluk, and Maureen Shakespeare of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal was created by the Governor General in June 2004 to recognize peace officers who have been employed at least 20 years in protecting the safety of the public in Canada and who have performed their duties in an exemplary manner. Further information on the medal is available at: www.gg.ca.


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BACKGROUNDER


Twenty-seven Canadian peace officers – five from Environment Canada, five from Parks Canada, six from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, five from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and six from the Canada Border Services Agency – received the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal in 2006.

The medal was presented by Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, in a special ceremony held at Rideau Hall in Ottawa May 12.

The recipients, grouped by the federal agency or department where they currently or last worked are:

Parks Canada

Duane Martin: Currently the Law Enforcement Advisor to Parks Canada’s Director General, Western and Northern Canada, Mr. Martin began his career as a Parks Canada warden in 1966 at Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada in Alberta. In addition to playing a leadership role in most of the Agency’s major law enforcement efforts in Western Canada over the past 20 years, he has been involved in the development and delivery of its National Law Enforcement Training Program.

Derek Tilson: Over his more than 33 years of service as a Parks Canada warden,
Mr. Tilson has played a role in more than 100 rescue operations including several where his actions were directly responsible for saving the lives of national park visitors. Recognized by his peers for his exceptional community relations skills and his ability to use them effectively in a complex, multijurisdictional environment, he currently manages the law enforcement program at Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada.

Scott Ward: Known for his songs about the life of a Parks Canada warden and the national parks where he has worked, Mr. Ward, now retired, spent part of his 34 year career with Parks Canada in the saddle patrolling the backcountry on horseback. A dog master for more than 20 years at Banff National Park of Canada, he was involved in rescue operations and in mentoring new as well as longstanding wardens.

Daniel Couchie: Elected as Chief of the Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation in Ontario in September 2005, the same year he retired from Parks Canada, Mr. Couchie is an expert in resource conservation and has acted as a mentor to many of the Agency’s employees, including its Aboriginal trainees and warden recruits. During his 30-year career with Parks Canada he worked in five different national parks. He spent much of the latter part of his career at Pukaskwa National Park of Canada which included 10 years Chief Park Warden and assignments as the Acting Field Unit Superintendent for Northern Ontario.



Gaétan Synnott: Equally at ease in the field and behind a computer, during his 22-year career with Parks Canada Mr. Synnott has been instrumental in the development of planning tools and an occurrence tracking system for the Agency’s law enforcement program. Now a Parks Canada warden in La Mauricie National Park of Canada in Quebec, his work as a trainer at the local, regional and national levels has contributed significantly to the effectiveness and capabilities of Parks Canada’s wardens.


Environment Canada, Enforcement Directorate

Gary W. Colgan: Mr. Colgan commenced his law enforcement career in July 1976 when he was appointed as a Customs Inspector for Canada Customs in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. He enjoyed a progressive career with Customs, holding various positions. In 1997, his final promotion with Customs was to the position of Director of the Intelligence and Contraband Division, Southern Ontario. In 1998, he transferred to Environment Canada where he is currently the Director of Wildlife Enforcement Division, Ontario Region.

Garry Bogdan: Mr. Bogdan received his first Peace Officer designation as a Fisheries Officer with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in 1973 and worked in Hay River, N.W.T. He then went on to be a Conservation Officer with the Saskatchewan Department of Natural Resources, returning to the federal government in 1978. He has been with Environment Canada since that time as a game officer and is currently Regional Director of the Wildlife Enforcement Division in Edmonton, Alberta.

Gary Dick: Mr. Dick joined the RCMP at Prince George, B.C. in the spring of 1968, after completing training in Regina, Saskatchewan, and was subsequently posted to Lac La Biche, Alberta. Other postings were Fort Chipewyan, Fort McMurray, Vegreville and Edmonton Drug Section. Gary joined the Wildlife Enforcement Branch of the Canadian Wildlife Service in September 1974 and was posted to Inuvik, NWT. In 1977, he transferred to Vancouver, B.C. He currently is Regional Director of the Wildlife Enforcement Division for Pacific and Yukon Region

Guy Lafranchise: Mr. Lafranchise is Senior Enforcement Officer, Wildlife Enforcement, in the Atlantic Region. He specializes in the control and movement of exotic wildlife internationally and interprovincially. His experience in environmental law enforcement started in 1978 when he was sworn in as a federal fishery officer. In 1989, he started his employment with Environment Canada where he was appointed as a federal game warden. His 28 years of environmental law enforcement has taken him across Canada, through parts of the United States and overseas. Guy’s service includes the successful implementation of national and international conservation law enforcement programs aimed at preserving renewable resources.





Régent (Ray) Lalonde: Régent (Ray) Lalonde started his law enforcement career with the Ontario Provincial Police. In 1976, he was appointed as a game officer with the Canadian Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment. He has been involved in wildlife law enforcement with the department at the headquarters level, coordinating wildlife enforcement investigations nationally and internationally. Régent is currently Chief of Operations and Chairman of the INTERPOL Wildlife Working Group.

Fisheries and Oceans

Jean-Yves Bernatchez: Mr. Bernatchez began his career as a fishery officer in 1981, and currently works in the Gaspé, Quebec office. Over his career, he has dedicated himself to supplying the best possible service through team building and efficiency. He remains an active instructor of self-defence and firearms and his dedication and performance are recognized as being above and beyond the call of duty.

Denis E. Burnip: Mr. Burnip started his career as a fishery officer in 1979. He is currently posted in Terrace, British Columbia, where he has seen success in ensuring compliance, effective utilization of enforcement resources, successful prosecutions, education and deterrence. He remains committed to the community by being actively involved in volunteering at schools and community programs.

Douglas Butt: Mr. Butt has worked as a fishery officer in the Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador office since 1971. In 1990, he received a Citation for Excellence for his work in coordinating the winter Gulf cod fishery. Also, since 1996, he has been the lead investigator on a continuing file which involves 101 charges against sealers. Mr. Butt is currently the lead officer with the Newfoundland and Labrador Region’s Special Enforcement Team.

Ross William Jones: Mr. Jones began his career as a fishery officer in Wedgeport, Nova Scotia, in 1976. He now works in Central and Arctic Region’s Burlington, Ontario, office. Utilizing great leadership skills and a positive attitude he has unified and boosted the morale and productivity of his staff. Mr. Jones has participated in the development of formal compliance protocols and working agreements promoting links and partnerships with other agencies.

Norman Smith: Mr. Smith began his career as a fishery officer in 1983, and is now Senior Staff Officer, Recruitment and Training at DFO Regional Headquarters in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. In his current position, he is active in the development of the DFO fishery officer recruit training program, the use of force and officer safety program and the initiation of safe work practices for fishery officers.

Peter Wilfred Taylor: Mr. Taylor started his career as a fishery officer in 1985, working his way toward his current position as Area Chief in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. He is active in the training and development of fishery officers in the Use of Force and the Officer Safety program. Mr. Taylor is a strong leader and has proven his ability to lead major enforcement operations using high tech surveillance equipment.



Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Graham Alldridge: Mr. Alldridge began his career as a border immigration officer with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) in 1974. Throughout his 32 years of exemplary service with CIC, he has held a range of positions at the operational and corporate levels, both in Canada and abroad. In 2003, he received the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for the leadership he exercised on three major security cases and for his assistance in implementing the danger portion of the pre-removal risk assessment procedure under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Salvatore Cutro: Mr. Cutro has been a federal public servant since 1974. Throughout this time, he has consistently demonstrated adaptability and professionalism in his work. His broad experience in the Public Service has made him a multiskilled employee who is highly valued by his peers as well as by his managers. Always willing to lend a helping hand and to take on extra work when needed, Mr. Cutro’s comportment, service to clients, and respect for the laws, regulations and objectives of CIC have made him an integral part of the CIC team.

David William Johnston: An employee of CIC since 1972, Mr. Johnston has held the positions of admissions officer, immigration counsellor supervisor and, for the past 24 years, manager of the Department’s Orillia, Ontario, office. As a manager, he has provided a full range of services, including the enforcement activities of arrests and detentions. Over his career, Mr. Johnston has consistently conducted himself with the utmost integrity while demonstrating the respectful values that are so important at CIC.

Mike Bataluk: Mr. Bataluk first joined CIC in 1980, and has worked for both CIC and Canada Customs in their port of entry and enforcement programs. He has been a frontline officer at the Emerson and Winnipeg ports of entry, performing enforcement duties in these locations for 20 years. Recognized by his peers as a subject-matter expert, Mr. Bataluk has consistently demonstrated a high level of integrity in performing his duties, as well as a strong commitment to CIC programs and the safety and security of Canadians.

Maureen Shakespeare: Since she became an examining officer with CIC in 1981, Ms. Shakespeare has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to enforcing the Department’s citizenship and immigration programs. Her perseverance and work with the Case Management Branch has led to several cases being referred for revocation of citizenship. As a member of CIC’s B.C./Yukon Marine Team, she has actively participated in the interception of migrant ships. Ms. Shakespeare has received numerous commendations from the police forces of northern Vancouver Island for her support and assistance.







Canada Border Services Agency

Daniel Alexander: Now an intelligence officer with the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) in the Quebec Region, Mr. Alexander began his career with the agency as a border officer. In addition to applying import and export laws and regulations, he maintained regular and effective relations with CBSA’s clients. Up until 1973, Mr. Alexander’s work touched on all sectors – air, sea, railway, land borders and postal – of CBSA’s activities. As a dog master from 1982 to 1984, he initiated a sniffer dog contraband detection service and helped to implement and promote in the region. From 1990 to 1992, as senior information officer for the Quebec region, he liaised with national as well as international clients. He has also been responsible for providing national audiences with information on alcohol and tobacco.

Karen Fata: Ms. Fata has over 30 years of dedicated service with CBSA, all in Sault Ste. Marie. Highly respected by her peers and subordinates, she carried the dedication she demonstrated as a CIC officer into subsequent management roles. Ms. Fata has been a leading force for the integration of CBSA at the port and district level, acted as a technical expert for the entire district, and independently developed as well as presented integrated training programs. She started working in the public service in 1974 as an examining officer. In 1983, she was appointed supervisor, then superintendent in 2004. She is now Chief of Operations in CBSA’s northern Ontario region.

Wendy Hickey (posthumous): Ms. Hickey began her career with Canada Customs as a clerk back in 1980, but within a year was promoted to the position of Customs Inspector. Selected as a member of the Customs Drug Team within the Intelligence and Interdiction Division (I & I) in the late ‘80s, she expanded her knowledge of illicit drugs and smuggling trends, and became a Customs Enforcement Officer. In this role, she was often chosen to provide training to her peers. Frequently assigned to work Joint Forces Operations with members of the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police Drug Unit and Windsor Police Services Drug Team, she was responsible for many significant seizures at ports of entry. Her dedication and integrity are often referred to by the law enforcement officers she worked with throughout her career.

Rose-Ann Jang: Ms. Jang began her successful career as a Customs Inspector at Vancouver International Airport in 1981. Three years later, she became one of the founding members of the newly created Customs Drug Team. The impact by this unit and her work in particular on the importation of drugs, specifically heroin, into Canada has never been matched. In 1995, Ms. Jang was promoted to the Chief of Intelligence, the position she holds today. She continues to inspire others and leads by example through dedicated hard work, professionalism, leadership and her overall love for the work she does and the great results it achieves.



Neil Mooney: Mr. Mooney has 21 years experience as a Customs Inspector, Customs Superintendent and Chief of Intelligence Operations. He has significant experience in International Traffic, Commercial Operations, Special Projects and Intelligence, and over 14 years of management experience. Mr. Mooney was the regional coordinator for the Canada/U.S. Accord CANPASS Project. He has also coordinated and delivered personal protection training to customs officers in the Niagara/Fort Erie Region, and implemented the Firearms Safe Handling Course in the region. Committed to excellence, professionalism and integrity, Mr. Mooney received an award of recognition for his significant contributions to CBSA’ Personal Protection Training Program as well as the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada.

Brian O’Connell: Mr. O’Connell is in his 31st year of exemplary service with CBSA. He has spent 21 years of his career at Pearson International Airport as both an Officer (Peace Officer) and a Superintendent. His last 10 years have been in the intelligence field, and he is currently one of the longest serving members of the legacy Immigration Intelligence Unit. He is one of the few select officers to have been accepted by the Ontario Provincial Court Criminal Division as an expert witness, and he continues to provide analytical reports on fraudulent documentation that are used in various judicial systems. Stationed overseas for numerous assignments involving document interdiction and airline training exercises, he has trained the staff of many airlines, police and immigration agencies in several locations throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia in fraudulent document detection techniques.

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