The Police Officer of the Year Award is an annual tribute dinner held by the Toronto Region Board of Trade.
The Board created the award in 1967. Its purpose is to recognize members 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.
Three years ago, the TPS Business Excellence Award was created. Its purpose is to recognize members of the Toronto Police Service who have made significant contributions to the Toronto Police Service and the City of Toronto. Each submission is judged on the following criteria: innovation, community service, technical achievement and customer service and reliability.
This year's Police Officer of the Year event will be held at the Toronto Region Board of Trade, 1 First Canadian Place, on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at 6 p.m.
Click here for promotional video for the Award dinner event.
Leading up to the event, we will be presenting the stories of those nominated for the Police Officer of the Year and for the TPS Business Excellence Award.
Police Officers of the Month for May 2012: Constables Keith Geroge, Aseem Malhi, Kevin Steele and Bob Stojkov, 12 Division
On May 26, 2012, Constables Keith George, Aseem Malhi, Kevin Steele and Bob Stojkov were on general bicycle patrol when they received a tip. They attended a housing complex that was a constant source of complaints by the community. The officers saw four men, one holding an open bottle of liquor and wearing a backpack. The man began walking away, clutching his backpack, as soon as he saw the police.
Constables Stojkov and Steele spoke with him and investigated him under the Liquor Licence Act and the Trespass to Property Act. He was allegedly displaying signs of nervousness, stammering and was evasive in his answers. He began banging on a door leading to one of the units. Constables George and Malhi assisted and explained to the man his obligation to provide an ID under the provincial acts. The man was hesitant and kept his backpack pressed tight against the wall as he continued knocking on the door. The man finally retrieved a piece of identification and handed it to Constable Steele, who was just about to record the information when the door suddenly opened.
Constable Malhi questioned the man about the contents of his backpack and it is alleged that he lunged forward at Constable Stojkov and tried to enter the unit and shut the door. Constable Malhi quickly forced back against the door and was able to effect an arrest. The man kicked Constable Malhi as Constables Steele, George and Stojkov attempted to restrain him. A violent struggle ensued, with residents of the unit intervening and attempting to pull the officers away from the man. The officers however, managed to get the man in handcuffs, each incurring minor injuries during the struggle. A subsequent search following his arrest allegedly led to the seizure of a loaded semi-automatic assault pistol, with a magazine, which was concealed in the backpack.
In recognition of their brave actions and dedication to duty, Constables Keith George, Aseem Malhi, Kevin Steele and Bob Stojkov have been selected as Police Officers of the Month for May 2012.
For further information, please contact TPS Corporate Communications at 416-808-7100 or Matthew Kofsky, Toronto Region Board of Trade, at 416-862-4558.
The Board created the award in 1967. Its purpose is to recognize members 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.
Three years ago, the TPS Business Excellence Award was created. Its purpose is to recognize members of the Toronto Police Service who have made significant contributions to the Toronto Police Service and the City of Toronto. Each submission is judged on the following criteria: innovation, community service, technical achievement and customer service and reliability.
This year's Police Officer of the Year event will be held at the Toronto Region Board of Trade, 1 First Canadian Place, on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at 6 p.m.
Click here for promotional video for the Award dinner event.
Leading up to the event, we will be presenting the stories of those nominated for the Police Officer of the Year and for the TPS Business Excellence Award.
Police Officers of the Month for May 2012: Constables Keith Geroge, Aseem Malhi, Kevin Steele and Bob Stojkov, 12 Division
On May 26, 2012, Constables Keith George, Aseem Malhi, Kevin Steele and Bob Stojkov were on general bicycle patrol when they received a tip. They attended a housing complex that was a constant source of complaints by the community. The officers saw four men, one holding an open bottle of liquor and wearing a backpack. The man began walking away, clutching his backpack, as soon as he saw the police.
Constables Stojkov and Steele spoke with him and investigated him under the Liquor Licence Act and the Trespass to Property Act. He was allegedly displaying signs of nervousness, stammering and was evasive in his answers. He began banging on a door leading to one of the units. Constables George and Malhi assisted and explained to the man his obligation to provide an ID under the provincial acts. The man was hesitant and kept his backpack pressed tight against the wall as he continued knocking on the door. The man finally retrieved a piece of identification and handed it to Constable Steele, who was just about to record the information when the door suddenly opened.
Constable Malhi questioned the man about the contents of his backpack and it is alleged that he lunged forward at Constable Stojkov and tried to enter the unit and shut the door. Constable Malhi quickly forced back against the door and was able to effect an arrest. The man kicked Constable Malhi as Constables Steele, George and Stojkov attempted to restrain him. A violent struggle ensued, with residents of the unit intervening and attempting to pull the officers away from the man. The officers however, managed to get the man in handcuffs, each incurring minor injuries during the struggle. A subsequent search following his arrest allegedly led to the seizure of a loaded semi-automatic assault pistol, with a magazine, which was concealed in the backpack.
In recognition of their brave actions and dedication to duty, Constables Keith George, Aseem Malhi, Kevin Steele and Bob Stojkov have been selected as Police Officers of the Month for May 2012.
For further information, please contact TPS Corporate Communications at 416-808-7100 or Matthew Kofsky, Toronto Region Board of Trade, at 416-862-4558.