Justice and Public Safety
June 3, 2015
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and Public Safety:
Minister Recognizes Police and Peace Officer of the Year Award Recipients
Mr. Speaker, on May 29, Newfoundland and Labrador Crime Stoppers announced the recipients of the 2015 Police and Peace Officer of the Year Awards. This marked the 21st annual event that recognizes officers for their professionalism and for the contributions they make to their communities.
I would like to congratulate this year’s recipients. For police officers, the winners were Royal Canadian Mounted Police Staff Sergeant Donald Rogers of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay detachment and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Constable Scott Mosher of Corner Brook. The peace officer of the year is Fishery Officer Sherry Pittman, who is employed with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
RCMP Staff Sergeant Rogers was promoted to his current leadership position last year and has been a member of the RCMP for almost 26 years. He currently oversees a busy detachment in Labrador with 18 officers. Despite his busy workload, Staff Sergeant Rogers still contributes greatly to his community and volunteers with groups such as the Labrador Friendship Centre, the Homeless Coalition, Special Olympics and the Mokami Status of Women.
Mr. Speaker, RNC Constable Scott Mosher has already had a significantly positive impact on Corner Brook despite being a relatively new officer. In addition to his duties with patrol services, he is extensively involved with the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program and last year spoke to hundreds of elementary school students about the dangers of drugs Constable Mosher is also a dedicated volunteer and assists with youth sports, the Corner Brook Winter Carnival, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the local Crime Prevention Committee.
Finally Mr. Speaker, Fishery Officer Sherry Pittman is also stationed in Corner Brook where she engages fish harvesters and the public to educate and promote conservation and protection initiatives. In 2014, Officer Pittman was involved in a rescue at sea in the Bay of Islands when she and her partner came upon an overturned vessel. One of the survivors of the incident had drifted from the vessel and was located with the assistance of the Canadian Coast Guard after a search was initiated by Officer Pittman.
Mr. Speaker, all three recipients of this year’s Police and Peace Officer of the Year Awards are certainly deserving of the accolades they receive and they are fine role models for their fellow colleagues. On behalf of the Provincial Government, I congratulate them and I also commend Newfoundland and Labrador Crime Stoppers for bringing recognition to their important work. Thank you.
2015 06 03 2:20 p.m.