| Toronto Police Service News Release |  |
Service Awards, Thursday, May 9, 2013, 7:30 p.m., 40 College Street, Lobby
Thursday, May 9, 2013 - 5:15 AM
Corporate Communications: 416-808-7100
On Thursday, May 9, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in the main lobby of Police Headquarters, 40 College Street, 82 members of the Toronto Police Service, one member of the Ontario Provincial Police, one member of Hamilton Police Service, two members of York Regional Police, three members of Niagara Regional Police Service and 15 members of our community will be recognized for unselfish acts of bravery, courage, exceptional performance of duty and for dedicated service to the community.
The presentations will be made by Dr. Alok Mukherjee, Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board and Chief of Police William Blair.
COMMENDATIONS - 51 Division
A Commendation is granted by the Toronto Police Services Boards for exceptional
performance of duty, community policing initiatives, or innovations or initiatives that enhance
the image or operation of the Service:
51 Division PC COUGHLAN
51 Division PC KAMA, Guy (9809)
TEAMWORK COMMENDATION - 51 Division
Teamwork Commendations are granted by the Toronto Police Services Board to a group for
exceptional performance of duty, community policing initiatives, or innovations or initiatives
that enhance the image or operation of the Service:
51 Division Sgt. PETRIE, Kyle (7840)
51 Division PC FOUGERE, Cory (8365)
POLICE CONSTABLE ROBERT COUGHLAN OF 51 DIVISION
In February 2011 Police Constable Robert Coughlan received a call from the Montreal Police advising that they had a suspect in custody that was wanted in Toronto on several warrants.
Constable Coughlan conducted an in-depth investigation and learned that the suspect had been convicted and was supposed to report to the National Sex Offender Registry for a period of 10 years if he had changed his address. He realized that the suspect was residing in Montreal and had not reported this to the Registry.
Most laws pertaining to the warrants are provincial and Constable Coughlan could not pursue the matter as it was out of jurisdiction. But Constable Coughlan was aware that this suspect had an intensive criminal record and was a serious threat to society so he explored all available avenues to ensure that the suspect would be accountable for his non-compliance.
Constable Coughlan compiled an in-depth history of the suspect’s convictions and presented his findings to the Crown Attorney’s Office. He received authorization to obtain a Canada Wide Warrant giving Montreal Police the authority to arrest the suspect and to hold the suspect until arrangements were made to return him back to Toronto. Constable Coughlan and another officer travelled to Montreal and brought the suspect back to Toronto to be formally charged.
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS PERSERVERANCE AND DILIGENCE TO APPREHEND A DANGEROUS SEXUAL PREDATOR, POLICE CONSTABLE ROBERT COUGHLAN IS AWARDED A COMMENDATION.
POLICE CONSTABLE GUY KAMA OF 51 DIVISION
In January 2011 while investigating an occurrence involving a government issued cheque, Police Constable Guy Kama was approached by an Investigation’s Manager in the Directorate of Public Works who asked him to assist with an unrelated investigation. The Manager reported that his department had discovered several government issued cheques had been fraudulently altered and were being cashed at various financial institutions in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This fraud scheme kept growing and it was revealed that more than one individual was involved in the criminal activity.
The group was targeting the five major banks making sure never to visit the same branch twice.
Constable Kama was provided a monthly spread sheet identifying all suspect cheques. Constable Kama contacted each of the five major banks and requested surveillance photos as well as the original cheques for fingerprinting purposes.
As most of the government cheques are mailed out, Constable Kama also sought the assistance of Canada Post to try and identify the location where the cheques were being stolen.
Constable Kama analyzed the information he received and was able to identify 5 primary suspects. The suspects were part of a relatively small community in Toronto and so he was able to positively confirm the identity of the suspects. He determined that there appeared to be a main suspect who was a part of this sophisticated network who was cashing the cheques; however numerous attempts to locate the suspect proved futile. Constable Kama began attending community events to become acquainted with friends of this suspect.
Constable Kama received information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts. He immediately commenced surveillance on the address. On April 20, 2012 he observed the suspect leave the address and get into a motor vehicle. The officer requested other officers to stop the vehicle. The suspect was arrested and charged.
Further investigation resulted in 3 additional suspects being arrested and charged. One of the suspects had fled the country.
The Investigation’s Manager in the Directorate of Public Works now confirms that fraudulent encashment of government cheques has considerably decreased.
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION TO DUTY, CONSTABLE GUY KAMA IS AWARDED WITH A COMMENDATION.
For further information, contact Ms. Deborah Chase at (416) 808-7096 or Corporate Communications at (416) 808-7100.
Constable Tony Vella, Corporate Communications, for Superintendent Hugh Ferguson, Professional Standards
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