 Good morning everybody. One of the best things about being Vancouver police chief is on a continual basis I get to hear amazing stories of just excellent police work. On a continual basis I hear stories about heroism, bravery, about innovation, about dedication, especially when they solve a long cold case. I also hear examples of extraordinary community engagement but over and above that I hear stories about civilians who step forward to help police officers in time of crisis but also to help other citizens who are in great danger and they put their own safety online to help those citizens. So that's why today is one of my favorite days of the year and that's because I get to hear all these stories again and we get to share all these stories with all of you. So please enjoy the combination ceremony. Like me I believe you're going to find these stories amazing, interesting, uplifting, and inspirational. So thank you very much for attending. The typically marriage awarded to citizens when the Vancouver police board went on their own initiative and in the face of actual or anticipated danger they've assisted the police in preventing a crime apprehending or attempting to apprehend an offender or made a life-saving attempt. On the morning of December 7th 2012 a 37 year old man turned into a predator he would later tell police he was out to hunt humans but this human hunter made sure that he only went after prey who couldn't fight back. With their willingness to get involved, to save other people from a vicious attack, file a surrogate, and file a use on awarded the Vancouver Police Board's highest award for civilian bravery, the certificate of marriage. The world can be a scary place for a child but on September 3rd 2013 for 12 year old Cory Wong and his little sister it became truly terrifying. For showing courage well beyond his years and bravery protecting his little sister, Cory Wong is awarded the Vancouver Police Board's highest award for civilian bravery, the certificate of marriage. As the man smashed his fist again and again onto his neighbor's apartment door he had no way of knowing whether anyone was home and if his bloody rampage could begin. Then the door opened. Five people went to the hospital that evening with serious injuries that could be a senselessly attack and a man with no apparent motive. Today, seven people are being recognized for their bravery. For their selfless actions in the face of great danger, Natalie Moon, Stephanie Gilmore, Robert Astworth, Lauren Peterson, Neil and Lynn Gillan, and Howard Parley are awarded the Vancouver Police Board's highest award for civilian bravery, the certificate of marriage. Fear can be a terrible thing. It can either paralyze you in the face of great danger or send you blindly into the abyss. Luckily for Jovinder Joel and all around him, it put him squarely in the driver's seat. For his brave and immediate actions that certainly saved many others from crashes and injuries, Jovinder Joel was awarded the Vancouver Police Board's highest award for civilian bravery. The threat of death comes in many forms, often when you least expect it. In the early morning hours of March 10, 2013, it snuck up behind a young woman. The woman was standing at the counter at a convenience store when suddenly she experienced a warm feeling on her body and saw blood. She was being stabbed in the head and the neck by a deranged man. For their quick and decisive actions that may well have stopped the critical action from fatal, Jason McMillan and Mark LeVette are awarded the Vancouver Police Board's highest award for civilian bravery, the certificate of marriage. When the Police Gang Enforcement Unit goes on its bar watch patrol in Vancouver's entertainment district, they are literally looking for trouble. On November 17, 2013, in a nightclub on Granville Street, they found it. Because of his quick and decisive actions, Nicholas Gunnison prevented further injuries to a police officer and supplied vital evidence to allow the Police to identify their testimony to aggravated assault. Nicholas Gunnison is awarded the Vancouver Police Board's highest award for civilian bravery, the certificate of marriage. It was no day at the beach. Morris Dory and Lewis Frederick, San Germain were sitting on a beach bench enjoying the view of Crab Beach Park on January 15, 2014, when their day took a turn for the worse. For their quick and selfless actions that put their own safety at risk to save the life of another, Morris Dory and Lewis Frederick, San Germain are awarded the Vancouver Police Board's highest award for civilian bravery, the certificate of marriage. On the evening of January 31, 2014, the routine of security guard Caleb Johnson was shattered by the sounds of a fight and the screams of a man who had just been stabbed in the stomach by two attackers. For his brave and decisive actions to put his own safety at risk to prevent further harm to another person, Caleb Johnson is awarded the Vancouver Police Board's highest award for civilian bravery, the certificate of marriage. And this category is a citation, a very special citation that we're handing out in recognition of commitment to civic duty. In the history of the department, it's only been handed out once before and until today. On May 5, 1948, Morris unit number 298 of the Army, Navy and Air Force weapons in Canada was created with the purchase of some land and the construction of a building at East 23rd Avenue and Main Street in Vancouver. In a move of extraordinary generosity, the property has been transferred to the Vancouver Police Foundation. While the club continues to operate, this legacy and endowment will contribute to community programs that enhance public safety and benefit at risk youth for years to come. In grateful recognition of their outstanding commitment to the community, Canadian veterans and Vancouver police members, the following officials of Taurus unit number 298 are awarded the Vancouver Police Department's highest award for civic duty, the Chief Constable Citation, President Eames and Clare, First Vice President Eric Borden, Second Vice President Mary Fraser, Secretary of Treasury Grant Thompson, Reporting Secretary Byrne Turner, and Executives at Large Peter Searson, Mike McDonald, and past President Andrew Brown. The unit is defined as two or more members, police and or civilian, working together. Members of a unit are eligible for a unit citation for diligent and sustained effort in the performance of duties well above that, which is normally expected, or for an outstanding performance in relation to a single investigation, operation or incident, or for developing a method or program that has significantly affects the operation or one or more divisions in the department. It is sometimes the role of a police officer to make sense of chaos, frenetic scene that calls for officers to be hunters one minute and caregivers the next. It was that type of chaos that greeted five Vancouver police constables on January 31st, 2013, when a man went on a bloody rampage, scattered residents in his apartment building and hitting others with a hammer for their high professional ability to quickly shift from tactical to investigative mode, as well as demonstrating carrying in compassion the following officers are awarded the Chief Constable's unit citation. Constables Peter Cooper, Mark Mann, Paul Kent, Ryan Run and Trevor States. In 2011, many residents of the downtown east side, they were being terrorized by a ruthless tyrant who ran an organization that supplied drugs and insured payment with violence, head shavings, fear and intimidation. For their dedication and commitment to remove the deadly scourge from our city, the following members of the Project Rescue Team are awarded the Chief Constable's unit citation. Superintendent Mike Porteos, Inspector Brad De Meris, Sergeant Rob Farron, Detective Constable Besnick Gilbretzi and Mike King, Constables Kyle Davies, Brodie Hock, Sharon Humphrey, Stephen Powell, Byron Tagram, Mike Wheeler, Lisa Wu and Prime Analyst Peggy Irwin and Project Assisting Captain Driver. When the Vancouver Police Department's counter-exploitation unit began a three and a half year investigation into an operation that was forcing young girls and young women into prostitution. For their extraordinary dedication, the following members of the counter-exploitation unit are awarded the Chief Constable's unit citation. Sergeant Richard Aiken, Detective Constable Brenda Burrage, Kate Paprari, Jim Fisher, Adam Kane, Colin McLaughlin, David Moe, Robin Shook, Kathleen Chang and Nancy England, Prime Analyst Lynn Reddick, Investigative Assistant Andrea Fleming and Victim Support Worker Channing Ibosh. For more than 100 years, the Vancouver Police Pipe Band has brought ire and recognition to the Vancouver Police Department. Pike Major Cal Davis, Pipe Staff Sergeant Sandy Marshall, Pipe Sergeant Bob Murphy, Pike Corporal Matt Reed, Drum Major Bruce Eburn, Drum Staff Sergeant Scott Gallant, Drum Sergeant Ed Wagstapp, Constable Dave Kavan, Constable Mark McWard, Dave Anderson, Michael Beach, John Graves, Trevor Caldwell, Noel Chalmers, Jim DePowell, Cap Fanning, Tim Fanning, Carol Frazer, Katie Fry, Dave Glover, Darrell Graham, Stuart Johnson, Michael McNeill, Mike McDonald, Colin Nicholl, Ryan Powell, Glenn Richards, Wayne Rogers, Carter Smith, Bill Sneddon, Dan Sutherland and Julie Wynne Sten. The Vancouver Police Department's accommodations can be awarded to police officers and civilian staff who demonstrate over the course of a single investigation operation or incident skill, judgment, dedication or integrity in the performance of duty, or for demonstrating the highest standard of police conduct or humanitarianism in a single operation, incident or investigation, or for diligent and sustained effort in the performance of duties, or for developing a method or program that has a positive effect on the operation of the department. In the early hours of April 12, 1999, a shadowy figure corrupt to the back door of a house on St. George Street in Vancouver and quietly began to barricade the exit. Then he slipped around to the front porch and poured gasoline in four different spots, including the front door, which he then set on fire. For their persistence and tenacity in their underwrenching efforts to bring some measure of closure and justice to the families of Nicholas Plitman on the Alexander Capitol, Detective Constable Ryan Smith and Paul Wukla are awarded the Chief Constable's Commodate. A cry for help in the middle of the night and an icy, heart-stopping plunge into dark waters turned into a rescue for both the woman in distress and the police officers who came to save her. For their selfless and heroic actions, Constable Brian Chernoff and Graham Walsh are awarded the Chief Constable's Commodation. And, as Constable Chernoff is unable to attend the Police Services Award ceremony in Victoria this past November, Chief Constable Chew will also present Constable Chernoff with the DC Police Services Award and Valor for saving this woman's life. It was the incredible science and hard work of two Vancouver police members, Sergeant Powell Hamilton and Special Constable Evelyn Peterson, who solved the brutal murder of Mark Rosen in 2004 and gave the judge the evidence he needed to put the killer away for life. For their diligence, commitment and expertise that sent a brutal killer to prison, Sergeant Holland and their Special Constable Reverend Patterson are awarded the Chief Constable's Commodation. On the morning of April 25, 2013, 9-1-1 received multiple calls about a woman who was attacking her roommates with a knife. For his quick actions, he saved a man from certain injury or worse, Constable Craig Look is awarded the Chief Constable's Commodation. On November 13, 2012, police received a call to assist paramedics. When Constable Sam Cremorano arrived, he discovered a disturbing and frightening scene. Ambulance and fire service personnel were confronted by a man armed with a knife who already inflicted wounds to his neck and was now holding the knife to his stomach. For risking their own lives, the records of other first responders and the distraught man, Constable Paul Kemp and Sam Cremorano are awarded the Chief Constable's Commodation. In the early morning hours of August 1, 2013, police were called to a single-room occupancy hotel to respond to a domestic dispute. What they found was far worse. For their quick and courageous actions to put the safety of the building's residents above their own, Constable Jeff Fletcher and Andre Hoxman are awarded the Chief Constable's Commodation. The murder was cold, calculated and brutal. The victim was a loner, impaired and of simple mind. The killer was a vicious street enforcer who preyed on the weak and appeared to have got away with it scot-free. For his outstanding police skills, his demonstrated compassion for the vulnerable people on this beat and for solving the murders among well-opened, unpunished, Constable Charlie Craig is awarded the Chief Constable's Commodation. Trying to save the life of a suicidal man who doesn't want to be saved is seldom easy. But on the night of November 14, 2013, for three Vancouver police officers, it became a literal bloodbath with their own lives at risk. For their brave actions, they clearly prevented the death of a suicidal man and prevented the disarming and possible loss of life of one or more police officers, acting Sergeant Mark LaValle and Constable Marina Tranko and Jennifer Wettings by awarding the Chief Constable's Commodation. Police are no strangers to violence in Mayhem, but the scene that greeted Constable Simon Cracknell and Darren Tolenko on the morning of April 14, 2014 will rank among the most gruesome and macabre ever reported. For their heroic and decisive actions that without doubt saved the life of a two-year-old child, Constable Simon Cracknell and Darren Tolenko are awarding the Chief Constable's Commodation. On August 1, 2014, at about 5 p.m., off-duty Constable Trevor Kine driving in his personal vehicle spotted a man he believed was about to commit a crime. He stopped his car and turned around to attempt to capture the man, but before he could, he saw the man commit an armed robbery at a pharmacy then rushed back to his waiting getaway car and driver. For his heroic efforts and detailed restriction, he took two women offenders off the street without injury to the public. Constable Trevor Kine is awarded the Chief Constable's Commodation. The sight of swinging guitars, screaming protesters, and clouds of tear gas has become a common ending for many protests in cities across North America. When protesters occupied Oppenheimer Park in July 2014, many believed this encampment would end the same way. The fact that it didn't was in part due to the extraordinary efforts of one officer, Constable Allie Gales. For her exceptional efforts in preserving the peace under the most blocking circumstances, Constable Allie Gales is awarded the Chief Constable's Commodation. It was dark and close to midnight when police found a mentally ill woman who was having a psychotic episode while giving birth to twins in the downtown park. During and after giving birth, the woman was screaming at police and staggering around the park. For their quick thinking and decisive actions to save the lives of these two infants, Sergeant Matthew Black and Constables Ryan Redell, Ann Marie Clark, Mark Bradshaw, and Jennifer Oman are awarded the Chief Constable's Commodation. Okay, so thank you all again for coming. You've been a beautiful crowd and hopefully see you next year and enjoy life.