Justice and Public Safety
November 21, 2016
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety:
Minister Parsons Recognizes Accomplishments of Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Officers
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to recognize the accomplishments of three officers of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary today in this Honourable House.
On October 9, during the International Association Women Policing Conference, hosted in Barcelona, Spain, RNC Constable Stephanie Pelley was the recipient of the Medal of Valor award.
This prestigious award is bestowed upon a female police or peace officer who performs an act of bravery or heroism at the risk of her own personal safety or in the face of great danger.
During the fall of 2015, Constable Pelley and her partner, RNC Constable Charley Torres, were first on the scene upon receiving a call from a young woman’s family that she was stranded on a cliff in Flatrock. Constable Pelley jumped into the water before returning to shore to dispose of her heavy equipment. She then returned to the water, joined by Constable Torres, and they were able to pull the young woman safely to shore. The officers used their bodies to pin the woman to a rock until help arrived from the Torbay Fire Department.
This act of bravery was also recognized last month at the Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement training conference in Halifax when both Constables Pelley and Torres were awarded the conference’s Medal of Valor.
Also at the Atlantic conference Mr. Speaker, RNC officer Julie Cunningham received the Leadership Award for demonstrating superior leadership qualities in the areas of problem-solving and organization and for being a positive role model as a Senior Coach Officer.
On behalf of all Honourable members and all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, congratulations to Constables Pelley, Torres and Cunningham and thank you for your dedicated service to our province each day.
Thank you.
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2016 11 21 1:55 p.m.