The 5th annual Moose Jaw police Awards ceremony held Wednesday afternoon, was to acknowledge everyday people, doing extraordinary things.
Devon Oleniuk, inspector for the Community Policing Division Moose Jaw, presented the bulk of the awards, though he did step aside a few times to let police Chief Rick Bourassa speak on a few awards given.
Chief Bourassa on the ceremony itself, said "We are so fortunate to live in a community in which so many people do things to make the community better. And very often, those things are very important, and meaningful, but they often 
The first 4 awards were Chief's Accomodation Awards, presented to police service personnel or community members whose exceptional contributions have helped make Moose Jaw a safer community.
Brittainy Kilgour was awarded the first commendation. She was the first person to see the young man struggling for breath and then collapse on the curb. She recognized that the male was in distress and called 911 and then began performing CPR.
The second commendation was awarded to commissionaire Kayla Gottselig, constable Murray Rice and constable Evan Schwabe for exceptional action during a critical situation. A prisoner in custody was able to put himself in harms way, which could have resulted in the loss of his life. Though through the efforts of Gottselig, Rice and Schwabe all contributed to saving a life and preventing harm to be done.
'Exceptional action during a critical situation' was recognized and Constable Melonie Ziffle and constable Rod Zeorbare were awarded with the chief's 3rd commendation for placing themselves at great risk and bringing a high level of expertise in their attempt to save a woman’s life.
And the 4th went to Carley Manz and Jess Blair for both acting on a situation, and pulling a woman down from the ledge of the 4th Ave. bridge, and both staying with her until authorities arrived.
Following these, 4 SADD groups of Moose Jaw were given the Community Safety Award. Being recognized for their contributions toward community safety this school year.
Oleniuk said "student leaders and teacher supervisors from each of these schools accepted the challenge of empowering their classmates and engaging their community. One of the key activities that all S.A.D.D. groups participated in were the hi-visibility check-stops. Students braved the frigid temperatures to stand with law enforcement members and deliver their tokens of appreciation and sincere thanks to motorists for driving safely."
From A.E. Peacock Collegiate, Advisors Roxanna Gadd-Frey and Dahinda Trusty, and students Matt Flegel, Gracie Farago, Skylar Ackerman, Olivia Arndt, Paige Pierce and Emily Mackenzie. From Central Collegiate, Advisor Janis Schultz and students Brooklynn Nant, Ashlyn McElree, Mafatta Dukuly, Hailee Gbelia, Venera Berisha, Maria Ahmad, Lorez Cossette, Maddison Landrie, Marcetta Wells. Riverview Collegiate included Advisor James Irving and students Natalie Moggey, Kenika Adrian and Ryland Huchinson. And from Vanier Collegiate Advisors Sue Leptich and Sharol Murdock, and students Dennis Calubia, Chey Luch, Chelsey Degagne.
Kelli Lemstra created an app called 'The Daily Difference', and allows a unique experience that can't be found anywhere else. Designed to help young teens, it is aimed at the mental well being of the students and kids. On top of
numerous modules designed through cognative behaviorial therapy, kids can text a PHD psychologist, psychiartrist or Moose Jaw police officer directly, anonymously, and get a response from them. It's the first interpersonal connectivity app to do this, and there are plans to expand to Regina and Saskatoon soon.Lemstra, when asked where her motivations came from, she said "I've struggled with mental health for many years, especially anxiety. I developed severe anxiety due to a lot of bullying when I was younger, and I know that anxiety is really high in teens right now specifically. Along with depressive mood and even depression. So I wanted to create something that was really easy and accessible for people my age because not a lot of people have the resources that I have. Being able to go to a counsellor, or a doctor, or even in the schools. At my school we have one counsellor for 1500 kids and that's just not enough. I wanted to make something that was really easy and available for everybody."
Her father, Dr. Mark Lemstra, said "The ability to text a police officer and get an answer confidentially, that's the important part. People have tried other things, and they can break the confidentiality, ours doesnt' have that. It's 100% confidential, 100% anonymous. In my knowledge this is the first jurisdiction in North America where a youth can text a police officer a question anonymously and get an answer from a police officer. not a volunteer, not a commissionaire. An actual police officer, in service. It's huge."
After watching his daughter receive her award, Dr. Lemstra was called up and awarded for CoCommunity well-being through Innovative Practices. He has launched 2 seperate initiatives in the community, including the Healthy Weights Initiative with 2000 adults and the Healthy Kids Initiative which is for 3000 youth. He also works closely with the Moose Jaw Police service with prevention services, treatment services and disability management services.
Chief Bourassa presented the South Central Child Abuse Team which was formed last year, and is the first team in Saskatchewan to work regionally as a unit. Members of the team are Kelly Baxter, Sgt Tim Schwartz, Kody Morland, Ryan Lawrence, Sheldon MacNaughton, Blair Torganrud and Devon Oleniuk. Bourassa said "here we have the champions who had the vision and brought this together, combined with the people who were the first ones to step in and actually make it work on the ground."
Including Mary Lee Booth, Terry Hutchinson, Kirsten Clark, Tanya Morland, Shawn Mohle, Devon Oleniuk and Rick Johns, the Police and Crisis Team were then presented awards. "It's been operating
On February 8th, Moose Jaw Police members were searching for an individual on a Canada wide arrest warrant as well as for several crimes that recently occurred in Moose Jaw. Investigation led police to an apartment in the downtown area. Inspector Oleniuk said "This incident required many layers of teamwork that ranged from the necessity of initial containment to ensure a safe scene for civilians as well as police, cooperation with the apartment manager to allow us access to the building to formulate plans so that all people could be as safe as possible, as well as the tremendous effort by our Police Service negotiators to keep the suspect talking for approximately nine hours."
The Teamwork Award was given to building Manager William Cowlin, Superintendent Ted Munro to represent RCMP staff, then several MJPS members.
When asked how it feels to be recognized, Cowlin said "Different, that's for sure. I wasn't expecting it. I just want to help out the best I can for the community. I do what I can do to help you know. This recognition, I thank it, I'll take it, I like it."
The Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association represents Moose Jaw’s indigenous community on Treaty 4 territory. Inspector Oleniuk said the association has been wildly active and continues to make significant impacts in the community, and in 2019, successfully working in partnership to create a gathering place in the valley, Tatawaw Park, meaning 'There is room for everyone, welcome'."Lori Deets and the Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association board members have done so much to build our community and make room for everyone", said Oleniuk. "We thank you for all you do. We are privileged and honoured to present the Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association with the much-deserved Community Building Award."
Sat, May 18, 9:00 AM
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