(THUNDER BAY, ON) – Select members of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service were honoured for outstanding service at a special ceremony Thursday.
The 2024 NAPS Awards and Service Recognition Ceremony was held in the afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Delta hotel in Thunder Bay. During the ceremony a number of officers received special honours for outstanding service, while others received formal recognition awards for years of service.
The winners of the 2024 Nishnawbe Aski Police Service Awards include:
Civilian of the Year – Dante Lagrange
Officer of the Year – Cst Abigail Couce
Lifesaving Award – Cst. Abigail Couce; Cst. Rob Soliman
Investigation of the Year – Fort Hope Team of Cst. Gina White; Cst. Dylan Vickruck; Cst. Christian Kim; Cst. Kienan Shortt & Sandy Lake Officers with Drug Enforcement Unit of D/Cst. Eric Rego; Sgt. Matt Dugas; Cst. Luke Fehr; Cst. Alex Tavares
Coach Officer Wilfred Chum Award – Cst. Gary Desgroseilliers
Community Service Alex Missewace Award – Cst. Bryan Halcro
Community Based Officer – Cst. Darryl Chapman
NCO Sgt. of the Year – Sgt. Jesse Einarson
Chief Citation for Public Award – Matthew Gull; Tara Sloss
Cst. Couce and Cst. Soliman received the prestigious life-saving award for their efforts during a Jan. 15, 2023, incident in Kashechwan First Nation. The two officers responded to a call for service after receiving vague reports about someone bleeding.
The pair attended the residence, but received no response when they knocked on the door. Due to numerous factors, the two officers realized there was a high likelihood the safety of the male inside was in immediate jeopardy.
Officers entered, searched the home, and eventually found the severely injured male. He still appeared to have a pulse. Had officers not arrived when they did, the outcome would have been far more tragic. The quick thinking and resilience of these officers certainly led to the man’s life being saved.
Meanwhile, the Fort Hope team, and Sandy Lake team with the Drug Enforcement Unit, received the awards for Investigative Excellence.
Officers in Fort Hope received reports of a fire at the local school on Jan. 25, 2023. A violent explosion had blown out the building’s windows, and officers quickly responded to help restore community safety. What followed was a complex investigation that utilized social media, and interviews.
The fire was eventually confirmed to be a case of arson. This investigation has also received recognition by the First Nation Chiefs of Police Association (FNCPA). That award committee has determined these officers should be awarded the FNCPA President’s Commendation.
The Sandy Lake officers and Drug Unit were recognized for their ongoing and aggressive efforts to combat the increasing level of drugs coming into Sandy Lake First Nation.
In 2023, a special project led to the execution of 10 search warrants in the community, which resulted in 18 arrests, five firearm seizures, more than $70,000 in controlled substances seized, and an additional $50,000 in cash being seized.
The Nishnawbe Aski Police Service Awards & Service Recognition Ceremony is an annual event. NAPS is responsible for policing 34 First Nation communities across Ontario.