| Toronto Police Service News Release |  |
Media advisory, Sunday, October 19. 2014, at 1 p.m., Headquarters, lobby, Community Member Awards
Friday, October 17, 2014 - 11:57 AM
Corporate Risk Management: 416-808-7716
On Sunday, October 19, 2014, at 1 p.m., in the lobby at headquarters, 40 College Street, 29 members of the community will be recognized for unselfish acts of bravery, courage and assistance to the Toronto Police Service.
The presentations will be made by Toronto Police Services Board Chair Dr. Alok Mukherjee and Chief William Blair.
For further information, please contact Ms. Antoinette Lobo at 416-808-7716 or Corporate Communications at 416-808-7100.
COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD
The following members of the community are granted a Community Member Award by the Toronto Police Services Board for grateful acknowledgement of unselfish assistance rendered to the Service or for an initiative or innovation that impacted positively on the image or operation of the Service.
Eleanor COHEN Submitted by 11 Division
Tanisha MARTINEZ Submitted by 13 Division
Jonathan MACHADO Submitted by 14 Division
Lindsay WOOD Submitted by 14 Division
Ryan McDONALD Submitted by 14 Division
Jennifer POWELL Submitted by 22 Division
Linda PETERS Submitted by 23 Division
Marcia DIAKUN Submitted by 31 Division
Clara PARNELL Submitted by 31 Division
Essam BADAWY Submitted by 33 Division
Tracy SMITH Submitted by 33 Division
Arafath RUKARA Submitted by 41 Division
Mark WAHBA Submitted by 41 Division
Lynda COX Submitted by 43 Division
Rayphal SLADE Submitted by 43 Division
Elzbieta (Ella) MAZEWSKI Submitted by 51Division
Mandy PECK Submitted by 51 Division
Lisa BINNEY Submitted by 51 Division
Ornella GUIZZO Submitted by 53 Division
Jamie FRANK Submitted by 53 Division
Pamela LOVELL Submitted by 54 Division
Bertrand MURENGERA Submitted by 54 Division
Regis NSABE Submitted by 54 Division
Oliver UWIMANA Submitted by 54 Division
Biagio TASSONE Submitted by 55 Division
Mina SMUDJA Submitted by 55 Division
Kenneth POLLOCK Submitted by Divisional Policing Support Unit
Robert PLITT Submitted by Divisional Policing Support Unit
PARTNERSHIP AWARD
The following member of the community is granted a Partnership Award by the Toronto Police Services Board for grateful acknowledgement of unselfish assistance rendered to the Service for an initiative or innovation that impacted positively on the image or operation of the Service.
Karis ANDERSON Submitted by 51 Division
TANISHA MARTINEZ – SUBMITTED BY 13 DIVISION
On July 13, 2013 an altercation occurred between several men who were attending an event. During the altercation two men were stabbed. One of the victims, who had sustained stab wounds to his chest and to his stomach, began to bleed profusely and collapsed.
Several citizens saw the victim on the ground and called police. Tanisha Martinez was one of those citizens. She immediately took charge and began to administer first aid. Tanisha, who is trained in CPR and first aid, had her emergency first aid kit with her and began to treat and assist the victim.
Tanisha was eventually relieved by police and ambulance staff but remained on scene to assist with updating paramedics.
It was determined that the victim required emergency transport to hospital as he was in critical condition. The victim was treated at the hospital and recovered from the stabbing.
IN RECOGNITION OF HER QUICK THINKING AND PROMPT ACTION IN SAVING THE LIFE OF ANOTHER, TANISHA MARTINEZ IS AWARDED A COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD.
JONATHAN MACHADO - SUBMITTED BY 14 DIVISION
On October 28, 2013 officers responded to a theft that had occurred at a LCBO.
While placing two suspects under arrest a struggle ensued between the arrested parties and the officers. The accused parties were able to free themselves and flee from the officers.
Jonathan Machado was in the area and observed the altercation. He observed that one of the accused was running away with an officer in pursuit. Jonathan ran up to the officer and volunteered his assistance. He then pursued and caught the accused and held him for the arresting officer.
Without Jonathan’s assistance the accused may not have been apprehended.
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS WILLINGNESS TO ASSIST IN KEEPING HIS COMMUNITY SAFE, JONATHAN MACHADO IS AWARDED A COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD.
LINDSAY WOOD AND RYAN MCDONALD - SUBMITTED BY 13 DIVISION
On March 8, 2014 Lindsay Wood and Ryan McDonald were leaving their place of work when they witnessed a female walking down the street in obvious distress. They approached her in an attempt to offer whatever assistance they could.
While speaking with her, they noticed that she was bleeding from the lower midsection and they immediately offered to call an ambulance. The woman refused any help and walked away. Concerned for her welfare, Lindsay and Ryan followed the woman.
It quickly became obvious to Lindsay and Ryan that the woman was giving birth. They called 911 and rushed to help. In her traumatized state, the woman attempted to leave stating that she just wanted to go home. Concerned, not only for the safety of the woman, but also for her new born baby, Lindsay and Ryan kept the woman at the scene and waited for the arrival of the police.
Officers and the emergency medical services personnel arrived and attended to the woman and the child and transported them both to the hospital.
IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SELFLESS ACTIONS AND WILLINGNESS TO ASSIST WITHOUT HESITATION, LINDSAY WOOD AND RYAN McDONALD ARE AWARDED COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARDS.
JENNIFER POWELL - SUBMITTED BY 22 DIVISION
On October 29, 2013 an officer responded to an accident call which involved a car being driven into a pole. When the officer arrived on scene he found the driver unconscious. He was not breathing nor did he have a pulse.
The officer advised the dispatcher and requested a rush on the ambulance. The officer then began CPR.
Jennifer Powell happened upon the scene and immediately offered to assist the officer. She assisted with the CPR performing chest compressions until the ambulance arrived.
IN RECOGNITION OF HER ASSISTANCE IN HELPING A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION, JENNIFER POWELL IS AWARDED A COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD.
LINDA PETERS - SUBMITTED BY 23 DIVISION
On May 28, 2013 officers were called to attend to a suspicious incident at a day care.
When officers arrived they spoke to the complainant and caregiver Linda Peters, who advised them that she was outside in the playground with the children when she noticed one child offering another child something to eat.
Linda approached the children and learned that the young child had removed a baggy from her jacket and was giving what she believed to be a cracker to the other child. Linda immediately intervened and took the baggy from the child. The baggy contained an off white substance. Linda immediately notified her supervisor and called police.
Investigation revealed that the substance in the baggy was crack cocaine.
IN RECOGNITION OF HER SWIFT, ACTIONS IN PREVENTING TWO SMALL CHILDREN FROM INGESTING A DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE WHICH COULD HAVE HAD TRAGIC RESULTS, LINDA PETERS IS AWARDED A COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD.
MARCIA DIAKUN AND CLARA PARNELL – SUBMITTED BY 31 DIVISION
On October 17, 2013 officers were dispatched to get information on a missing teenager who was suffering from depression and had made a previous attempt on her life. Officers were informed that she had not returned home from school and that this was unusual.
Officers attended the school and with the assistance of the school security officer, Clara Parnell, and the principal Marcia Diakun, officers began the search for the missing girl. The police dog was used to search the school premises. School videos were viewed and it was confirmed that the girl had left the school premises. Principal Diakun and Security Officer Parnell worked closely with the police providing useful information about the girl’s friends, searching her locker, and confirming that she had not attended her last class.
The next day, a male who was seen on the video with the missing girl and who had been identified by Principal Diakun and Security Officer Parnell, arrived at the school. When he became aware that an investigation was being conducted he came forward and advised authorities that the girl was at his home.
Officers attended and the girl was transported to hospital.
Without the total involvement of both the school security officer and the principal the investigation would not have been concluded in a timely manner.
IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONCERN FOR THE LIFE AND SAFETY OF ANOTHER AND THEIR EXCELLENT ASSISTANCE IN THIS MISSING PERSON INVESTIGATION MARCIA DIAKUN AND CLARA PARNELL ARE AWARDED COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARDS.
Essam Badawy and Tracy Smith –submitted by 33 division
On June 15, 2013 officers responded to a call that a person had drowned in a hotel pool. When officers arrived they found members of Toronto EMS performing lifesaving CPR on the victim on the pool deck. The victim was revived and transported to hospital where he was listed as being in stable but critical condition.
This person had arrived at the hotel as a part of a tour group. Together, with his friends, he went to the hotel pool for a swim. He was not a strong swimmer and entered the pool in the shallow end. As he gradually moved towards his friends who were in the middle of the pool he slipped. He began to panic and called for help. One of his friends grabbed his arm in an attempt to pull him back into the shallow end but the victim began to struggle and pulled himself and his friend further into the deep end. The friend, fearing that he would be pulled under water, let go of his grasp at which point the victim sank to the bottom of the pool.
Another member of the group ran to the front desk area of the hotel to get help. Essam Badawy and Tracy Smith, who were guests at the hotel, heard the distress call. Both ran to the pool area where they observed the victim at the bottom of the pool. They instructed hotel staff to call 911. Essam immediately entered the pool in an attempt to save the victim but was unsuccessful. At this time Tracy Smith entered the pool and together they were able to pull the victim from the bottom of the pool and place him on the pool deck. Tracy Smith performed CPR on the victim until EMS arrived.
IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR HEROIC ACTIONS TO SAVE THE LIFE OF A STRANGER, ESSAM BADAWY AND TRACY SMITH ARE AWARDED COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARDS.
ARAFATH RUKARA AND MARK WAHBA – SUBMITTED BY 41 DIVISION
On January 16, 2014 Mark Wahba, Arafath Rukara and their friend were walking through the bus bay area at a subway station. As Mark and Arafath reached the inside of the station they realized that their friend was no longer with them. Immediately, Mark and Arafath retraced their steps in an attempt to locate him.
As they were walking back through the bus bays they observed their friend lying on the ground partially in the lanes for bus traffic. Mark and Arafath rushed over to assist. They found their friend not moving and on further examination they determined that he was unconscious and not breathing.
Arafath called 911. Mark checked the victim for a pulse; when he could not locate a pulse he immediately began to perform CPR. As Mark became exhausted from performing CPR, Arafath took over from him until paramedics arrived.
Doctors later told police that the victim most likely would not have survived this incident had it not been for the actions of these men.
IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR QUICK ACTIONS AND WILLINGNESS TO HELP THEIR FRIEND IN A LIFE THREATENING SUTUATION, ARAFATH RUKARA AND MARK WAHBA ARE AWARDED COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARDS.
LYNDA COX - SUBMITTED BY 43 DIVISION
On January 04, 2014 Lynda Cox was at her home with her husband James Cox. At this time James collapsed and went into distress. Lynda was alone with her husband and immediately called 911. While on the phone with 911 James stopped breathing and his heart stopped functioning.
After receiving instructions via the 911 operator Lynda began to perform CPR on her husband. She continued CPR on her own until the arrival of Toronto Police and EMS. James continued to receive medical attention on scene and EMS was able to revive him. He was then transported to hospital for further treatment.
The emergency physician who attended to James advised police and EMS that if it had not been for Lynda’s swift and immediate action in commencing CPR her husband would not have survived.
IN RECOGNITION OF HER SWIFT AND DECISIVE ACTIONS RENDERING ASSISTANCE TO SAVE THE LIFE OF HER HUSBAND, LYNDA COX IS AWARDED A COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD.
RAYPHAL SLADE – SUBMITTED BY 43 DIVISION
On March 21, 2014, Rayphal Slade was in the City of Toronto on business. He was travelling westbound on Lawrence Avenue East in his personal vehicle. He was driving over the Lawrence Avenue East overpass at Colonel Danforth Park. This overpass is located approx. 100 feet over the park. As he passed over the bridge expansion he observed a young female on the north sidewalk climb onto the railing. Given the actions of the young lady, and out of concern for her well-being, Rayphal returned to her location.
The young woman was in crisis and about to leap from this location. Rayphal approached the distraught female and quickly grabbed her in a bear hug to prevent her from committing this final act. As Rayphal was on one side of the railing and the young woman was on the other side of the railing there was little that Rayphal could do other than hang on to her. Passerby’s alerted police via 911 and officers from 43 Division attended the scene.
With the aid of the officers the young woman was removed from this position of peril. The young woman was then transported to hospital to receive the appropriate medical attention. It should be noted that at the time of the original 911 call further information was received from the young woman’s frantic mother that her daughter had indeed left a note of her intentions to end her life.
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS BRAVE ACTIONS AND WILLINGNESS TO HELP A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY IN DISTRESS, RAYPHAL SLADE IS AWARDED A COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD.
ELZBIETA (ELLA) MAZEWSKI AND MANDY PECK – SUBMITTED BY 51 DIVISION
On August 25, 2013 an off-duty officer was on his way home on his motorcycle when he was nearly struck by another vehicle travelling approximately 130 km/hr.
The officer further observed the vehicle nearly hit 3 other vehicles. The officer believed this was possibly an impaired driver. He requested the drivers that had almost been hit to call 911. His request for assistance was not heeded.
After the 4th vehicle was nearly struck the off duty officer drew the attention of (Ella) Mazewski and her passenger Mandy Peck, who had their vehicle window open. The officer identified himself to Ella and Mandy and requested they call 911 and to inform the dispatcher that he would be following an impaired driver and to give the dispatcher the description of the impaired suspect vehicle.
The off duty officer then suddenly spotted a police car and he informed the officer of what he had observed. The officer in the police car activated his emergency lights, siren and air horn in an attempt to stop the driver but the driver would not stop. Other police vehicles attended and the driver was eventually stopped and arrested.
The off duty officer later learned that the officers attending the scene were fully briefed on the situation as it unfolded as Ella and Mandy not only did as he had requested but they went beyond that and kept the dispatcher fully informed of all the details of the dynamic situation that was taking place.
IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR WILLINGNESS TO RENDER ASSISTANCE AND AIDING IN THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ELZBIETA (ELLA) AND MANDY PECK ARE AWARDED COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARDS.
LISA BINNEY – SUBMITTED BY 51 DIVISION
On August 13, 2013 Lisa Binney was at work when she observed one of her co-workers collapse.
Lisa immediately rushed to the aid of her colleague and discovered he was without any vital signs.
She immediately called 911 and as she is trained in CPR, she began to administer CPR. She kept up her efforts until emergency medical services arrived.
The victim was then taken by ambulance to the hospital. The paramedics and the doctors at the hospital informed police later that if it were not for the skilled response of Lisa Benny the victim would not have survived.
IN RECOGNITION OF HER PROMPT ACTIONS AND WILLINGNESS TO SAVE ANOTHER IN DISTRESS, LISA BINNEY IS AWARDED A COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD.
ORNELLA GUIZZO AND JAMIE FRANK – SUBMITTED BY 53 DIVISION
On April 6, 2014 a call was received regarding a domestic assault where an unconscious 40 year old female was in the basement of a house with her two children.
Paramedics Ornella Guizzo and Jamie Frank were first to arrive on scene. As directed by the radio call, the paramedics unloaded their medical equipment and proceeded to enter the house. They were startled by a male voice and saw a man blocking the door that lead into the kitchen. The paramedics requested the man step away from the door so that they could enter but he would not comply. He indicated that he and his wife were having an argument and that she had fallen. The paramedics continued to try and coax the suspect away from the door.
Finally, the suspect complied and the paramedics immediately began to give medical aid to the victim. The victim’s condition was serious. She was on the floor unconscious. There was blood spatter visible on the kitchen floor and wall. The victim’s injuries were assessed as life threatening. Officers arrived on scene and did an emergency run to the hospital.
IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR REMARKABLE COURAGE AND PROFESSIONALISM IN THEIR APPROACH TO A SERIOUS DOMESTIC ASSAULT, PARAMEDICS ORNELLA GUIZZO AND JAMIE FRANK ARE AWARDED COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARDS.
PAMELA LOVELL – SUBMITTED BY 54 division
On January 8, 2014 a couple were involved in a domestic argument which escalated to the point where the female victim locked herself in the bathroom to get away from her attacker.
The male suspect kicked in the bathroom door and began to beat the victim with a piece of wood from the broken door. The suspect then retrieved a knife from the kitchen and used the handle, to strike the victim in the forehead. The suspect fled the scene before the police arrived. Investigators attended and quickly identified the suspect. Having concern for the safety of the victim and the public they issued a press release with a photo of the suspect.
On January 9, 2014 the suspect attended a hospital complaining of blunt force trauma injuries. He was checked by emergency staff. One of the staff members, Pamela Lovell, noticed that the suspect’s complaints of injury were not consistent with his actions or demeanor. She completed her shift and went home. While watching the news Pamela saw the press release and recognized the suspect.
In the interest of safety for her co-workers and the public at large, she immediately called police to relay the information of the suspects’ whereabouts.
Officers attended the hospital and the suspect was placed under arrest.
IN RECOGNITION OF HER KEEN OBSERVATIONS AND WILLINGNESS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OTHERS PAMELA LOVELL IS AWARDED A COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD.
BERTRAND MURENGERA, REGIS NSABE AND OLIVER UWIMANA – SUBMITTED BY 54 DIVISION
A suspect who had a very violent past and was on parole for armed robbery and who was also a crack cocaine user had since robbed a grocery store, committed street robberies on pedestrians as well as robbed a taxi cab driver.
On January 31, 2014 a male was drinking at a local sports bar. When the proprietors were not looking the man went behind the bar, opened the till, grabbed the cash, and then fled out of the front door.
Three patrons who were in the bar observed this and gave chase. They were Bertrand Murengera, Regis Nsabe and Oliver Uwimana. They caught up with the accused and attempted to apprehend him. The accused fought all three men and had to be tackled to the ground. The accused was held by Bertrand, Regis and Oliver until police arrived.
It was determined by police that the arrested party had a violent past which included many robberies and drug use.
IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR QUICK ACTIONS IN APPREHENDING AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS A THREAT TO COMMUNITY SAFETY, BERTRAND MURENGERA, REGIS NSABE AND OLIVER UWIMANA ARE AWARDED COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARDS.
Biagio Tassone and Mina Smudja - SUBMITTED BY 55 DIVISION
On January 11, 2013 police were dispatched to attend to an unknown trouble call. Once on scene it was determined that two passerby’s had intervened and pulled a female from the other side of the bridge to safety.
Biagio Tassone was driving to work when he observed a female standing on the ledge of the bridge. Biagio made a quick U-turn and approached the female on foot. He quickly grabbed her.
Mina Smudja was on a streetcar when she too observed a female leaning over the bridge. She asked the driver to stop and she quickly ran out of the street car and assisted Biagio pull the female from the bridge to safety.
Biagio and Mina held the female until police arrived.
IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR QUICK ACTIONS AND WILLINGNESS TO SAVE ANOTHER IN DISTRESS BIAGIO TASSONE AND MINA SMUDJA ARE AWARDED A COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD.
KENNETH POLLOCK – SUBMITTED BY DIVISIONAL POLICING SUPPORT UNIT
On December 10, 2013 officers received a radio call for a prowler.
Kenneth Pollock was home during this time and was looking out of his front window when he observed a male standing in the neighbouring residence driveway across the street. Kenneth, who knows his community well, thought he was seeing his neighbour arrive home from work early. However, seconds later he became suspicious as the male was just standing in the driveway by the motor vehicle.
Kenneth then observed the male walk to the next driveway to another neighbour’s motor vehicle. It then became clear to Kenneth that this was not a neighbour but a perpetrator who was breaking into the motor vehicles.
Kenneth immediately called police and positioned himself without notice in order to observe the perpetrator. The officers who responded were able arrest the male, collect an abundance of evidence, and to bring closure to several outstanding occurrences because of the information provided by Kenneth.
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS KEEN OBSERVATIONS AND WILLINGNESS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF HIS COMMUNITY KENNETH POLLOCK IS AWARDED A COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD.
ROBERT PLITT – SUBMITTED BY DIVISIONAL POLICING SUPPORT UNIT
On July 8, 2013 the city of Toronto was hit with a major rain storm which caused many floods and power outages across the city. In one such affected area a GO Transit train was submerged in water. There were approximately 1500 passengers still on the train and a city wide call for resources was placed.
Officers from all over the service attended the area to give assistance. With the help of officers, hundreds of passengers were evacuated from the train and escorted across the tracks to safer ground.
Robert Plitt approached the officers and provided water and food to the evacuating passengers who had been stuck on the train for approximately 6 hours. Robert loaded approximately 20 litres of bottled water, cups and granola bars in to a police vehicle to be taken to the passengers. Many of the passengers were tired, hungry, and dehydrated. They were very appreciative of the food and water provided by Robert which tied them over until the Red Cross attended with more supplies.
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS WILLINGNESS TO ASSIST HIS FELLOW CITIZENS IN A CRISIS SITUATION ROBERT PLITT IS AWARDED A COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD.
KENNETH POLLOCK – SUBMITTED BY DIVISIONAL POLICING SUPPORT UNIT
On December 10, 2013 officers received a radio call for a prowler.
Kenneth Pollock was home during this time and was looking out of his front window when he observed a male standing in the neighbouring residence driveway across the street. Kenneth, who knows his community well, thought he was seeing his neighbour arrive home from work early. However, seconds later he became suspicious as the male was just standing in the driveway by the motor vehicle.
Kenneth then observed the male walk to the next driveway to another neighbour’s motor vehicle. It then became clear to Kenneth that this was not a neighbour but a perpetrator who was breaking into the motor vehicles.
Kenneth immediately called police and positioned himself without notice in order to observe the perpetrator. The officers who responded were able arrest the male, collect an abundance of evidence, and to bring closure to several outstanding occurrences because of the information provided by Kenneth.
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS KEEN OBSERVATIONS AND WILLINGNESS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF HIS COMMUNITY KENNETH POLLOCK IS AWARDED A COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD.
ROBERT PLITT – SUBMITTED BY DIVISIONAL POLICING SUPPORT UNIT
On July 8, 2013 the city of Toronto was hit with a major rain storm which caused many floods and power outages across the city. In one such affected area a GO Transit train was submerged in water. There were approximately 1500 passengers still on the train and a city wide call for resources was placed.
Officers from all over the service attended the area to give assistance. With the help of officers, hundreds of passengers were evacuated from the train and escorted across the tracks to safer ground.
Robert Plitt approached the officers and provided water and food to the evacuating passengers who had been stuck on the train for approximately 6 hours. Robert loaded approximately 20 litres of bottled water, cups and granola bars in to a police vehicle to be taken to the passengers. Many of the passengers were tired, hungry, and dehydrated. They were very appreciative of the food and water provided by Robert which tied them over until the Red Cross attended with more supplies.
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS WILLINGNESS TO ASSIST HIS FELLOW CITIZENS IN A CRISIS SITUATION ROBERT PLITT IS AWARDED A COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD.
ELEANOR COHEN - SUBMITTED BY 11 DIVISION
On June 26, 2014 Eleanor Cohen, who is employed as a nurse, was on her way to work. While on the subway platform she heard a thudding sound from track level. Eleanor looked and saw a man lying motionless across the tracks.
Eleanor immediately took action. She directed a passenger to press the emergency button on the wall to cut power to the trains. She also directed another passenger to alert TTC employees and to obtain additional assistance. Eleanor then jumped to track level to assist. With help she was able to move the victim to the safety of the centre median. A few moments later a train entered the subway station just inches from where Eleanor was attending to the victim.
When officers arrived, Eleanor was monitoring the victim’s vital signs while advising and directing TTC employees. The victim was subsequently removed from track level and taken to hospital for medical attention.
IN RECOGNITION OF HER SELFLESS ACTIONS WHICH SAVED THE LIFE OF ANOTHER WHILE RISKING HER OWN SAFETY, ELEANOR COHEN IS AWARDED A COMMUNITY MEMBER AWARD.
KARIS ANDERSON - 51 DIVISION
With the City of Toronto being host to many large events, it has become one of the Service’s priorities to develop and improve our ability to address and analyse crimes using technology. This includes analyzing social media sources as a way of preventing crime at these events and obtaining current intelligence as these events take place.
While completing her Master’s degree for Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis at Michigan State University, Karis attended training hosted by the Toronto Police Service and completed the certification program in Crime Analysis Applications.
During her training Karis volunteered a large amount of her time to help our crime analysts to prepare for the city’s Pride events. These events present unique issues with respect to site security and threat assessments due to the increased density of people in a small, concentrated area. Taking into account the mix of associated social events that happen in bars, clubs and restaurants after the Pride festivities, an increased Police presence has historically been used as an effective crime prevention measure.
Karis analysed intelligence from social media sources and liaised with her contacts to provide a thorough report on any security issues that needed to be addressed.
IN RECOGNITION OF HER VOLUNTEER EFFORTS AND COMMITMENT TO INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS AND CRIME PREVENTION, KARIS ANDERSON IS AWARDED A PARTNERSHIP AWARD.
Constable David Hopkinson, Corporate Communications, for Superintendent Kim Yeandle, Corporate Risk Management
