YORK COP GETS POT AWARD

A York Regional Police officer received a national award for his leadership
in a cross-country drug operation earlier this year.

Det. Mike Klimm received the Director General's Award from the Criminal
Intelligence Services of Canada (CISC) at a ceremony in Ottawa two weeks
ago for his leadership of Operation Green Sweep.

"It's a bit embarrassing to get an award for doing your Job," Det. Klimm
said. "It wasn't just one guy. It's recognition for all of us, not just one
person."

On Jan. 31, police across Canada swooped down on indoor marijuana-growing
operations and seized more than $56.2 million in plants, $75,000 cash and
an estimated $3.8 million in growing equipment.

Five hundred police officers executed 189 warrants from British Columbia to
New Brunswick, with 12 raids in York Region. Det. Klimm co-ordinated the
efforts of 26 police forces and six RCMP divisions in the one-day program.

He was cited for exemplifying "what CSIC represents by unifying police
agencies for one common goal while fighting organized crime".

Det. Klimm, a 20-year veteran of the force, has headed York Regional Police
raids on marijuana-growing operations for the past three years, with about
150 raided so far this year, compared with 87 last year and 26 the year
before that.

"The problem's still there, but we're starting to realize the results of
our work," he said. "Our techniques are working and the fewer number of
complaints indicates we're making headway."