OPP officers receive prestigious Order of Merit Awards

ORILLIA, ON, May 26 /CNW/ - Five Ontario Provincial Police officers proudly accepted Order of Merit Awards at a special ceremony today that honours police officers throughout Canada.

The Order of Merit of the Police Forces honours a career of exceptional service or distinctive merit demonstrated by the men and women of Canadian Police Services. The primary focus is on exceptional merit, contributions to policing and community development.

The OPP recipients were joined by police service members from across the country and all were personally presented with their award by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada at the Order of Merit of the Police Forces Investiture Ceremony at Rideau Hall.

The OPP's award recipients at today's ceremony are:

    
    -   Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey, Commander Traffic Safety and
        Operational Support
    -   Deputy Commissioner Vince Hawkes, Commander, Investigations &
        Organized Crime
    -   Deputy Commissioner Chris Lewis, Commander, Field Operations
    -   Superintendent Brad Blair, Commander, Aboriginal Policing Bureau
    -   Detective Sergeant Jim Van Allen, Criminal Profiling Unit,
        Behavioural Sciences Section
    

"The Order of Merit of the Police Forces is a very prestigious award and I am extremely proud of all five of our officers who have received this distinguished national award for their exceptional, unique contributions and achievements in policing", said OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino.

The Order of Merit was created in 2000 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

For more information on the Order, visit the website of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police: http://www.cacp.ca.

    
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For further information: Sgt Pierre Chamberland, Phone: [phone]