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."