Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Across the Years
THE TEMISKAMING
SPEAKER
Classified TV Guide
SECTION C
North East OPP Awards Ceremony recognizes the best and bravest
Sue Nielsen Speaker Reporter NEW LISKEARD - It was a sea of blue and gold uniforms as Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers from across the North East region gathered at the New Liskeard arena, Thursday, September 29, to take part in their annual awards ceremony. This was the second time the awards ceremony had been held in the Temiskaming region (the first was in 2006) when police officers from the New Liskeard Police Department were sworn in as OPP officers.
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We work in dangerous situations, we see lots of bad stuff, but today is about the good stuff, it’s about you today, -- OPP Commissioner
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Chris Lewis
He said the OPP administer policing services to over 250,000 citizens. He has been the OPP Commissioner since taking over the job from Julian Fantino in 2007. “It is a real pleasure to be here in the North East Region, my heart is in this region as I was born in Sault Ste. Marie and had my first posting in Kapuskasing,” he said. He noted the force had its early beginnings in nearby Cobalt, and acknowledged the important role municipal leaders, community members and police officers play in keeping residents safe. He told the audience of close to 100 people that the OPP are investing in new technology and upgrading several detachments to keep pace with modern policing. “We work in dangerous situations, we see lots of bad stuff, Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Chris Lewis took part in the Piper and Parade of Colours and handed awards to various recipients during the North East Region’s Police Award Ceremony held in New Liskeard on September 29. (Staff photo by Sue Nielsen)
During the Ontario Provincial Police North East Region Police Award Ceremony, held September 29 at the Don Shepherdson Memorial Arena in New Liskeard, Temagami Ojibway elder Carol Guppy (middle) received the Commissioner’s Commendation Community Service Award from Chief Superintendent Joffre Dupuis (left) and Commissioner Chris Lewis. (Staff photo by Sue Nielsen) but today is about the good stuff, it’s about you today,” he added. INSPECTOR ALEX IVANOV Commissioner Lewis took the opportunity to commend Temiskaming Detachment
Inspector Alex Ivanov for his service over the years and said whoever takes over for him when he officially retires November 14 as Detachment Inspector will have big shoes to fill.
On November 14, at the Temiskaming Detachment, a special retirement ceremony is being planned to honour Inspector Ivanov, said Commissioner Lewis. Continued on page 9c
The North East Region spans from Parry Sound and Burk’s Falls in the south, to Moosonee and Hearst in the north, from Mattawa in the east to White River in the west and all places in between where OPP detachments are located. The OPP work with nine municipal police forces and four stand alone First Nation forces as well as partner with government and volunteer agencies such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Victims Crisis From the left during the Commissioner’s Letter and St. John Ambulance Award ceremony was OPP Chief Superintendent Joffre and Referral Services (VCARS), Dupuis, St. John Ambulance representative David Barton, award recipients Provincial Constables Ken Helbin and Kevin Adams, said Commissioner Chris Lewis. with Commissioner Chris Lewis. (Staff photo by Sue Nielsen)