The Surrey Board of Trade has announced the finalists for the 18th annual Police Officer of the Year Awards. More than 70 nominations were received. The nominees were judged in the areas of innovation, commitment, contribution and perseverance. The finalists are:
Arnold Silzer Community Policing Initiative Award: Darlene Bowyer; Special Const. Susan Caley; High Risk Location Initiative, Command Team.
Police Team Award: Auto Crime Target Team and the Property Crime Target Team; Surrey RCMP Criminal Collision Investigation Team; Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit.
Police and Business Partnership Award: Karen Klein; Surrey Crime Prevention Society; Sophie’s Place.
Municipal Employee Award: Candace Hoover; Monica Prasad; Shona Yuzwa.
Volunteer of the Year Award: Robyn Drayson; Louise Sallai; Linda Stromberg.
Auxiliary Constable of the Year Award: Const. Amrik Singh Aulakh; Const. Ken Merrells; Const. Karen Summers.
Police Officer of the Year Award (nominated by peers): Staff-Sgt. Martin Blais; Cpl. Nicole Noonan; Const. Sanjeevan Sidhu.
Police Officer of the Year Award (Nominated by the community): CSO Dennis Bell; Cpl. Allison Douglas; Special Const. Joshua Waltman.
Winners will be announced at a gala event Thursday, Oct. 9 at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel (15269 104 Ave.) from 6-9:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at businessinsurrey.com