The Estevan board of police commissioners recognized Police Chief Paul Ladouceur and Deputy Police Chief Murray Cowan on recent achievements during their monthly meeting Nov. 13.
Ladouceur was invested as a member of the national Order of Merit of the Police Forces on Oct. 31 in Ottawa. Two days earlier in Regina, Cowan received the provincial Protective Services Medal, which is presented to protective services personnel with at least 25 years of experience.
Ladouceur said it was quite a ceremony and a great experience. He commended those around him for allowing him to do so well.
“You don’t receive these things without having great staff by your side. Murray’s been a tremendous asset,” Ladouceur said.
Ladouceur recalled he was adamant he wanted Cowan as the deputy chief, and the board was supportive.
Cowan, who has been a member of the EPS for most of his adult life, after serving with Emergency Medical Services and the Canadian Forces, said the medal represents years of exemplary service.
“Not only is it an honour, but it’s a long time at 25 years,” said Cowan.
He thanked his wife for the support she has shown throughout his career, because without her, this wouldn’t have been possible.
A reception was held at city hall after the meeting.
•••
Crime numbers release during the meeting showed that officers responded to 657 calls for service in October.
Included in that total was 10 crimes against the person, with eight assaults, one assault causing bodily harm and one sexual crime.
Officers responded to 25 crimes against property, including 11 mischief/wilful damage complaints, 10 thefts under $5,000, two residential break and enters, one theft of a motor vehicle and one classified as theft of other motor vehicle.
Eighteen charges were laid for Criminal Code traffic violations. Seventeen of them were for impaired or exceeding the legal limit due to alcohol. One was for being impaired by drug.
There weren’t any charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act or the Cannabis Act last month.
In October 2018, the EPS had 850 calls for service.
So far this year, the EPS has had 7,198 calls for service, a 2.4 per cent increase from a year ago, when they had 7,031 calls in the first 10 months. Included in the total for this year are 97 crimes against the person, 265 crimes against property, 30 charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, thee under the Cannabis Act and 131 Criminal Code traffic violations.
City Councillor Lyle Yanish asked Ladouceur about the increase in the number of people charged with impaired by drug. Ladouceur pointed out the number of drug recognition experts is up, as is the number of check stops and the number of standard field sobriety tests.
•••
The monthly report from Special Const. Josie Palmer, who is the city’s bylaw enforcement officer, shows that she had 81 total occurrences in October, led by 19 parking complaints, 18 unkempt property violations and 13 animal calls.
So far this year, she has had 1,222 occurrences, with 260 animal calls and 255 unkempt property violations leading the way. She has also handled 192 parking violations and 176 parking complaints.
