Pubdate: Fri, 30 Jul 2004 Source: Orangeville Citizen (CN ON) Copyright: 2004 Orangeville Citizen Contact: http://www.citizen.on.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2529 Author: John Edwards TOWN COPS HONOURED Some of Orangeville's finest were recognized by the Ontario Crime Commission last week. The provincial body bestowed its Award of Excellence to the criminal investigation branch of the Orangeville Police Service and to Constable Scott Davis, its community service and media relations officer. Police Chief Rod Freeman submitted the nominations in March. The criminal investigation branch consists of a supervising sergeant and four detective constables. Over the past year, its members investigated major offences such as arsons, robberies, extortions, marijuana grow houses, break-and-enters, child pornography and did the groundwork leading to the largest cocaine bust in recent memory. "The success enjoyed by the members certainly certainly qualifies them to receive this honour as a unit," Freeman's nomination form to the commission reads. Davis said the criminal investigation branch has helped make Orangeville a safer community. "Those guys work hard all the time and they solve a lot of crime," he said. In his role as community service officer, Davis has focused on crime prevention and educating the public. He presented the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program to area students and co-ordinated the 11-member auxiliary unit. "Clearly, the manner in which Cst. Davis performs his duties and fulfills his commitment to this community qualifies him for this special recognition," the nomination form stated. "It's a nice acknowledgement of the work that we do," Davis said. "A lot of times the work that we do goes unrecognized." The awards do not just recognize the individual recipients but the entire Orangeville Police Service, Davis added. "It isn't individuals that do it, it's a team effort. Whether it's community service or the criminal investigation branch, it isn't one person alone that can do this kind of work - it's everybody contributing that gets the job done." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin