The winner of the 2013 Police Officer of the Year Award was announced during the annual tribute dinner held yesterday evening at the Toronto Region Board of Trade.
The Board of Trade created the award in 1967. Its purpose is to recognize officers of the Toronto Police Service who have made significant contributions to making Toronto one of the safest cities in the world. Each month, an officer is selected for Police Officer of the Month, based on the following criteria: bravery, humanitarianism, superior investigative work and outstanding police skills.
The monthly winners are then re-evaluated by a panel of judges. One winner is chosen to receive the Police Officer of the Year Award.
This year the winners are: Detective Jamie Clark and Constables Tyler Brett, Brad Mills, Trevor Grieve, Sean Heffernan and Michael Kelly.
These officers have successfully demonstrated outstanding bravery, professionalism and dedication to duty. The professional manner in which they conducted themselves is worthy of substantial recognition not only by their peers but also the Toronto Police Service and the community in which they proudly serve.
On Friday March 29, 2013, at 5:34 p.m., officers responded to a call for a Personal Injury accident on Lake Shore Boulevard and The Don Roadway.
A vehicle, travelling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Lake Shore Boulevard, crashed through the south guardrail and ended up submerged on its side in the Don River Basin.
Once on scene, then-Sergeant Jamie Clark took immediate control of what was a chaotic and an emotionally charged scene. Officers and firefighters who arrived were attempting to enter the water to assist in the rescue. Sergeant Clark slowed down the rescue effort to assess the dangers to the officers. The water temperature was a frigid five degrees. The water at this location is quite contaminated with debris (mud, garbage, wood, etc.) and is approximately 15 feet deep with next-to-no visibility.
Sergeant Clark ensured officers entered the water with emergency equipment such as ropes and float rings to safely assist in the rescue.
Constable Michael Kelly, a former Marine Unit member, assumed a leadership role, taking control of the rescue, advising the other officers of the dangers, and had the wherewithal to utilize the emergency equipment at hand, knowing that the frigid water would have an immediate effect on their bodies.
Constable Kelly's experience prevented what could have requirted a rescue of the rescuers.
Without hesitation or concern for their own safety, officers immediately entered the frigid water and made their way approximately 20 feet to the vehicle, using emergency flotation devices.
Constables Kelly, Sean Heffernan, Brad Mills and Brett Tyler located the submerged vehicle and were able to stand on its side. Several attempts were made by these officers to dive under the water to locate an entry point and free the victim.
After numerous attempts, the officers were unable to open a door due to the pressure from the water.
Constable Kelly utilized his baton to smash out the rear window of the vehicle. At this time, water immediately rushed into the vehicle, adding additional danger to the officers.
Several more dives were attempted to locate the victim. At this time, members of the Marine Unit arrived on scene. Properly equipped, they were able to assist in the rescue of the victim.
The victim was taken to shore to waiting Emergency Medical Services members, and taken to St Michael's Hospital via an emergency run.
On shore, Constable Trevor Grieve assisted with the scene management. This was a chaotic and emotionally charged scene.
Victims from the vehicle had gotten separated as they exited the water. This caused confusion as to the number of victims and their identities.
Constable Grieve determined the names of all the victims, and accounted for their whereabouts.
Constable Grieve was detailed to liaise with Toronto Fire, DAS and St. Michael's Hospital, confirming all victims were accounted for.
Family members were arriving on scene and Constable Grieve's efforts assisted in successfully advising the parents of their children's whereabouts and carrying out a controlled rescue effort.
All of these officers, without hesitation, put their own lives at risk in an attempt to rescue the victim. The dangers these officers faced: near freezing water, hypothermia, contamination, hazardous debris, did not deter them from entering the water in an attempt to save a life. This incident was handled in a controlled/safe manner and with professionalism.
These officers are to be commended for their bravery, professionalism and teamwork.
Detective Jamie Clark and Constables Tyler Brett, Brad Mills, Trevor Grieve, Sean Heffernan and Michael Kelly were recently selected as Police Officers of the Month for March 2013.
Congratulations to Detective Jamie Clark and Constables Tyler Brett, Brad Mills, Trevor Grieve, Sean Heffernan and Michael Kelly and to all the award winners for their continuing efforts to make Toronto one of the safest cities in the world.
For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.
The Board of Trade created the award in 1967. Its purpose is to recognize officers of the Toronto Police Service who have made significant contributions to making Toronto one of the safest cities in the world. Each month, an officer is selected for Police Officer of the Month, based on the following criteria: bravery, humanitarianism, superior investigative work and outstanding police skills.
The monthly winners are then re-evaluated by a panel of judges. One winner is chosen to receive the Police Officer of the Year Award.
This year the winners are: Detective Jamie Clark and Constables Tyler Brett, Brad Mills, Trevor Grieve, Sean Heffernan and Michael Kelly.
These officers have successfully demonstrated outstanding bravery, professionalism and dedication to duty. The professional manner in which they conducted themselves is worthy of substantial recognition not only by their peers but also the Toronto Police Service and the community in which they proudly serve.
On Friday March 29, 2013, at 5:34 p.m., officers responded to a call for a Personal Injury accident on Lake Shore Boulevard and The Don Roadway.
A vehicle, travelling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Lake Shore Boulevard, crashed through the south guardrail and ended up submerged on its side in the Don River Basin.
Once on scene, then-Sergeant Jamie Clark took immediate control of what was a chaotic and an emotionally charged scene. Officers and firefighters who arrived were attempting to enter the water to assist in the rescue. Sergeant Clark slowed down the rescue effort to assess the dangers to the officers. The water temperature was a frigid five degrees. The water at this location is quite contaminated with debris (mud, garbage, wood, etc.) and is approximately 15 feet deep with next-to-no visibility.
Sergeant Clark ensured officers entered the water with emergency equipment such as ropes and float rings to safely assist in the rescue.
Constable Michael Kelly, a former Marine Unit member, assumed a leadership role, taking control of the rescue, advising the other officers of the dangers, and had the wherewithal to utilize the emergency equipment at hand, knowing that the frigid water would have an immediate effect on their bodies.
Constable Kelly's experience prevented what could have requirted a rescue of the rescuers.
Without hesitation or concern for their own safety, officers immediately entered the frigid water and made their way approximately 20 feet to the vehicle, using emergency flotation devices.
Constables Kelly, Sean Heffernan, Brad Mills and Brett Tyler located the submerged vehicle and were able to stand on its side. Several attempts were made by these officers to dive under the water to locate an entry point and free the victim.
After numerous attempts, the officers were unable to open a door due to the pressure from the water.
Constable Kelly utilized his baton to smash out the rear window of the vehicle. At this time, water immediately rushed into the vehicle, adding additional danger to the officers.
Several more dives were attempted to locate the victim. At this time, members of the Marine Unit arrived on scene. Properly equipped, they were able to assist in the rescue of the victim.
The victim was taken to shore to waiting Emergency Medical Services members, and taken to St Michael's Hospital via an emergency run.
On shore, Constable Trevor Grieve assisted with the scene management. This was a chaotic and emotionally charged scene.
Victims from the vehicle had gotten separated as they exited the water. This caused confusion as to the number of victims and their identities.
Constable Grieve determined the names of all the victims, and accounted for their whereabouts.
Constable Grieve was detailed to liaise with Toronto Fire, DAS and St. Michael's Hospital, confirming all victims were accounted for.
Family members were arriving on scene and Constable Grieve's efforts assisted in successfully advising the parents of their children's whereabouts and carrying out a controlled rescue effort.
All of these officers, without hesitation, put their own lives at risk in an attempt to rescue the victim. The dangers these officers faced: near freezing water, hypothermia, contamination, hazardous debris, did not deter them from entering the water in an attempt to save a life. This incident was handled in a controlled/safe manner and with professionalism.
These officers are to be commended for their bravery, professionalism and teamwork.
Detective Jamie Clark and Constables Tyler Brett, Brad Mills, Trevor Grieve, Sean Heffernan and Michael Kelly were recently selected as Police Officers of the Month for March 2013.
Congratulations to Detective Jamie Clark and Constables Tyler Brett, Brad Mills, Trevor Grieve, Sean Heffernan and Michael Kelly and to all the award winners for their continuing efforts to make Toronto one of the safest cities in the world.
For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.