Police Officer(s) of the Month Awards - 2013 & TPS Business Excellence Awards Presentation

News Release

Media advisory, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 1:30 p.m., Headquarters, 40 College Street, Police Officer(s) of the Month Awards - 2013 & TPS Business Excellence Awards Presentation

Tuesday, May 13, 2014 - 5:00 AM
Professional Standards Support:  416-808-7096

On Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at 1:30 p.m., in the main lobby of police headquarters, 30 members of the Toronto Police Service will be recognized for bravery, humanitarianism, superior investigative work and overall outstanding police skills as they receive awards for 2013 Police Officer of the Month.

Additionally, the TPS Business Excellence Award nominations will be presented to six serving members of the Service for innovation, community service, technical achievement, customer service and reliability.

Police Officer(s) of the Month Awards – 2013
& TPS Business Excellence Awards Presentation
The presentation will be hosted by Mr. Christopher Worth, Chair of the Police Officer of the Year awards.

Alok Mukherjee, Chair of the Police Services Board and Chief William Blair will be in attendance for the presentations.

For further information, please contact Ms. Deborah Chase at 416-808-8017 or Corporate Communications at 416-808-7100.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable David Hopkinson, Corporate Communications, for Deborah Chase, Office of the Chief

MARCH
PC BRETT, Tyler (10254) 51 Division
PC MILLS, Brad (10523) 51 Division
SEPTEMBER
PC KAMA, Guy (9809) 51 Division
NOVEMBER
PC KENNEDY, Mark (9569) 51 Division

SGT. JAMIE CLARK AND CONSTABLES TYLER BRETT, BRAD MILLS, TREVOR GRIEVE, SEAN HEFFERNAN & MICHAEL KELLY

On Friday March 29th, 2013 at approximately 5:34 p.m., officers responded to a call for a Personal Injury Accident on Lake Shore Boulevard and The Don Roadway.

A vehicle, travelling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Lake Shore Boulevard, crashed through the south guard rail and ended up submerged on its side in the Don River Basin.

Once on scene, Sergeant Jamie Clark took immediate control of what was a chaotic and an emotionally charged situation. Officers and firefighters who arrived were attempting to enter the water to assist in the rescue. Sergeant Clark slowed down the rescue effort to assess the dangers to the officers. The water temperature was a frigid 5 degrees. The water at this location is quite contaminated with debris and is approximately 15 feet deep with next to no visibility.

Sergeant Clark ensured the officers entered the water with emergency equipment such as ropes and float rings to safely assist in the rescue. 

Constable Michael Kelly, a former Marine Unit member, arrived on scene and assumed a leadership role taking control of the rescue, advising the other officers of the dangers, and recognizing the importance of utilizing the emergency equipment at hand knowing that the frigid water would have an immediate effect on their bodies.

Constable Kelly's experience prevented what could have resulted in a rescue of the rescuers.

Without hesitation, officers immediately entered the frigid water and made their way approximately 20 feet to the vehicle using emergency flotation devices.

Constables Kelly, Sean Heffernan, Brad Mills and Brett Tyler located the submerged vehicle and were able to stand on its side. Several attempts weremade by these officers to dive under the water in an effort to locate an entry point and free the victims.

After numerous attempts the officers were unable to open a door due to the pressure from the water.
Constable Kelly utilized his baton to smash out the rear window of the vehicle.

At this time, water immediately rushed into the vehicle, adding additional danger to the officers.

Several more dives were attempted to locate the victims. At this time, members of the Marine Unit arrived on scene. Properly equipped, they were able to assist in the rescue of the victims.

The victims were taken to shore to awaiting Emergency Medical Services members, and transported St Mikes Hospital via an emergency run.

On shore, Constable Trevor Grieve assisted in the scene management. This was a chaotic and emotionally charged situation.

Victims from the vehicle had gotten separated as they exited the water and this caused confusion as to the number of victims and their identities.

Constable Grieve ascertained the names of all the victims, and accounted for their whereabouts.

Constable Grieve was detailed to liaise with Toronto Fire, DAS and St. Mikes Hospital confirming all victims were accounted for.

Family members were arriving on scene and Constable Grieve’s efforts assisted in successfully advising the parents of their children’s whereabouts and carrying out a controlled rescue effort.

All of these officers, without hesitation put their own lives at risk in an attempt to rescue the victims. The dangers these officers faced; near freezing water, hypothermia, contamination, hazardous debris did not deter them from entering the water in an attempt to save lives. This incident was handled in a
controlled/safe manner and with professionalism.

These officers are to be commended for their bravery, professionalism and

teamwork.

IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR BRAVE ACTIONS AND DEDICATION TO DUTY, SERGEANT JAMIE CLARKE AND CONSTABLES TYLER BRETT, BRAD MILLS, TREVOR GRIEVE, SEAN HEFFERNAN AND MICHAEL KELLY HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS POLICE OFFICERS OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH 2013.

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CONSTABLE GUY KAMA

In January 2011, while investigating an occurrence involving a government issued cheque, Constable Guy Kama was approached by an investigations manager with 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 was expanding and 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 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. He determined that there was a main suspect who was a part of this sophisticated network; however numerous attempts to locate the suspect proved futile. Constable Kama began attending community events to become acquainted with friends of this suspect.

Eventually Constable Kama received information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts. He immediately commenced observations on the address. On April 20, 2012 he observed the suspect leave the address and get into a motor vehicle. The vehicle was intercepted; 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 investigations manager confirmed with Constable Kama that the fraudulent encashment of government cheques has declined considerably as a direct result of these arrests.

IN RECOGNITION HIS SUPERIOR INVESTIGATIVE SKILLS AND DEDICATION TO DUTY, CONSTABLE GUY KAMA HAS BEEN SELECTED AS POLICE OFFICER OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER 2013.

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DETECTIVE SERGEANT DEBBIE HARRIS & CONSTABLE MARK KENNEDY

In January 2011 a series of arson occurred. One building, designated as an historic building, was intentionally set on fire. The incident was classified as a six alarm fire and damage was estimated to be in excess of $3,000,000. The lead police investigator was then Detective Debbie Harris.

From January 2011 to July 2012 several other fires occurred. Constable Mark Kennedy took an interest in arson investigation and assisted Detective Harris. He identified a viable suspect who was wanted on a warrant for failing to comply with the terms of a Probation Order. The warrant was executed and the suspect was placed under arrest. Detective Harris and Constable Kennedy interviewed the suspect on video.

Over a period of time Detective Harris established a rapport with the suspect. This assisted her in gaining his co-operation and led to the suspect providing information to her. He readily admitted to setting fires in hotels to kill residents who had confronted him regarding his activities. He indicated that he wanted to hurt the people and that he started fires because he “got a kick” out of it. He admitted to a lifelong involvement with intentionally setting fires and provided details regarding a number of other arson occurrences for which he was responsible. He also admitted that in some instances he was hired to set the fires.

Following the suspect’s confession, Detective Harris and Constable Kennedy made concerted efforts to verify the details. In October 2012 the suspect pled guilty to a total of eight criminal charges including arson and attempted murder.

As well, the success of the investigation was in large part made possible by Det. Harris and Constable Kennedy’s teamwork and collaboration with Toronto Fire Services and the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall.

IN RECOGNTION OF THEIR SUPERIOR INVESTIGATIVE SKILLS AND DEDICATION TO DUTY, DETECTIVE SERGEANT DEBBIE HARRIS & CONSTABLE MARK KENNEDY HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS POLICE OFFICERS OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER 2013.