RCMP employees being invested into the Order of Merit of the Police Forces

OTTAWA - Friday, June 5, 2009 - Today, 13 RCMP employees are being recognized by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, for their achievements and outstanding contributions in policing.

“Today’s recognition is a very prestigious honour bestowed on only a few Canadians,” said RCMP Commissioner William J.S. Elliott, Principal Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. “The exceptional dedication shown by these women and men throughout their careers in policing is testimony to their commitment to keeping Canadians and their communities safe.”

“I extend my congratulations to the exceptional men and women who have today received awards for their outstanding commitment and achievements in policing,” said the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety. “As Canada’s national police force, the RCMP plays a vital role in protecting our citizens and communities. Your important work upholds this government’s commitment to tackling crime and to keeping Canadians safe.”

Each year, the Governor General recognizes a number of Canadian police service employees by investing them into the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. This year, 34 women and men from different police services across Canada are being honoured for careers of exceptional service or distinctive merit.

The Order has three levels: Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (C.O.M.), Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (O.O.M.) and Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (M.O.M).

The following RCMP employees were invested today into the Order of Merit of the Police Forces:

Atlantic Region

• Inspector Frederic Leigh DesRoches, M.O.M. - St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador
• Assistant Commissioner Stephen William Graham, O.O.M. - Halifax, Nova Scotia (A/Commr. Graham is being promoted within the Order, from Member to Officer.)
• Staff Sergeant Roy H.E. Hill, M.O.M. - St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador
• Staff Sergeant Gary Le Gresley, M.O.M. - Bathhurst, New Brunswick (S/Sgt. Le Gresley was appointed to the Order in 2008 but was serving in Haiti and could not attend the investiture. He will be invested today.)
• Staff Sergeant George F.H. Noseworthy, M.O.M. - Port Saunders, Newfoundland & Labrador
• Corporal Spurgeon Kenneth Walker, M.O.M. - North Bedeque, Prince Edward Island

Headquarters

• Chief Superintendent J.M.A. Woods, M.O.M. - Ottawa, Ontario

North West Region

• Staff Sergeant Ian Charles Sanderson, M.O.M. - Edmonton, Alberta
• Superintendent Michael Jay Sekela, O.O.M. - Edmonton, Alberta
• Assistant Commissioner William Allan Smith, M.O.M. - Edmonton, Alberta
• Staff Sergeant Major William Henry Sparkes, M.O.M. - Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

Pacific Region

• Assistant Commissioner Gary R. (Bud) Mercer, O.O.M. - Richmond, British Columbia
• Superintendent Lloyde F. Plante, O.O.M. - Surrey, British Columbia

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