Community Safety Business Partnership Award:
Bill Shearer (for BFI Canada)
In February 2010, the RCMP conducted an investigation of a woman who had disposed of her newborn in a commercial waste bin.
Unfortunately, by the time investigators were able to locate the bin, it had already been emptied. When contacted by the RCMP, Bill Shearer of BFI Canada Inc. did not hesitate to assist.
He immediately helped track down the BFI truck and driver, as well as located the exact location within the Vancouver Landfill where the truck had been emptied.
Thanks to BFI and the team of police officers who sifted through the cordoned off mountain of waste, the infant's remains were located and the case was resolved.
Tragically, a similar event occurred in August of 2011.
Again, Shearer and BFI went above and beyond, determining the truck and driver, locating the section of the Vancouver Landfill and standing by while RCMP conducted their search long into the night.
Even though these events impacted BFI's operations, both the company and Shearer were extremely helpful and instrumental to the RCMP in these sensitive investigations.
Community Safety Initiative of the Year:
Innovative Laser Pointer Policy for Aircraft Safety
Shining a laser pointer into the cockpit of an aircraft is a serious offence and safety risk.
Today's easily available high-powered lasers can completely incapacitate pilots and puts the lives of the passengers on board in jeopardy. In 2011, there were 42 incidents of people pointing lasers at aircrafts in Metro Vancouver.
Richmond RCMP Sgt. Cam Kowalski and Corrie Okell, E-Comm 9-1-1's operations training manager, have been leading the charge on this issue, working to develop a standard operating procedure for E-Comm 911 dispatchers.
Under the new policy that came into effect in May, E-Comm fields all reports of laser incidents in Metro Vancouver and immediately notifies local police without delay.
This is the only program of its kind in Canada and has been cited by Navigation Canada as a "best practice."
The program has received accolades from industry including the Air Line Pilots Association and the Air Canada Pilots Association and is currently used in every airport in B.C.
Community Safety Career Achievement Award:
S/Sgt. Kerry Mah
Throughout his distinguished career, Kerry Mah has demonstrated great loyalty to the force and dedication to public service.
He has always prided himself on working hard and giving back to the community. He has built a reputation for being, compassionate and a man of integrity.
Mah joined the RCMP in 1990. He served in various communities until he came to Richmond in 1999 as a Corporal.
In 2009, he was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant and became the Plainclothes Commander for Richmond Detachment.
Mah has been the team commander on numerous Serious Crimes files, which involve huge commitments of time, focus, dedication and strategic delegation to ensure his team had enough resources.
In addition to the regular duties of commander, Mah also works in conjunction with many Integrated Units of the RCMP.
Many, including those who have worked alongside him or under his command, speak very highly of him as a leader, a supervisor and a friend. His dedication to his work and team are unparalleled, and Mah is deserving of our recognition.
