_ Presentation of the Long Service

and Good Conduct Medal

OUR LAST issue carried the announce-
ment of Regulation 90, made under the
Police and Prisons’ Regulation Act, which
provides for the award of a medal to
members of the Force with twenty or
more year’s service, the last ten of which

have been served without censure or
reprimand.

After the medal was struck, and lists
of those members and ex-members who

were eligible for the decoration had been

prepared, the question of suitable presen-
tation ceremonies had to be considered.

It was obviously impossible to gather
all the recipients to one central point for
a mass presentation. Furthermore, con-
sideration had to be given the friends and
relatives of those about to be decorated

for long and faithful service. So the
Conimissioner arranged to have the pre-
sentations made at a number of points
throughout the Province, with an appro-
priate ceremony in each case, to which
representative members of the community
were invited.

A number of ex-members rejoined their
former colleagues to receive this token of
appreciation for their past services.

Serving members of the Force up to the

SEVENTEENTH EDITION

rank of staff-sergt. were afso presented
with a monetary award from the Police
Reward Fund as an added gratuity for
long service and good conduct:

Rendering justice to these men is diffi-
cult. Their aggregate service totals 1287
years, during which they have laboured
in the public interest. From time to time
in the pages of this magazine, we have
tried to interpret the work of the Force,
and of the men who make it up.

The “old-timers,” as in any large
organization, form the backbone of the
Foree. The younger men benefit from the
hard-earned experience of the older mem-
bers, learning alike from success and
failure. Much comes to a man in twenty
years, both good and bad. He becomes
more mellowed and understanding. His
judgement is tempered with greater know-
ledge of human nature. Time has applied
the brakes of experience to the impetuous-
ness of youth, and he graduates from a
guardian of the peace, to a friend and
counsellor of man.

The old-time policeman’s advice is often
sought by members of the community in
which he serves. Far removed from the
sphere of his duties are some of the
problems brought to him, and usually he
acquits himself quite creditably. Many
a juvenile problem has been brought to
his attention by an anxious parent, and
a little quiet talk and friendly advice have
smoothed over the troubled family, and
perhaps avoided incipient juvenile revolt
before irreparable harm was done. Many
a domestic affair has been satisfactorily
adjusted, and a reconciliation effected
through the “Old-timers’’’ homespun
philosophy and understanding of young
people and their problems.

Many a community can thank the local
policeman for arranging youth activities
which took the youngsters off the streets
and gave them a wholesome outlet for
their exuberance, and thus saved them
from the heartache of a “juvenile prob-
lem”.

The “old-timer” has tried to earn public
respect and support, by strict adherence
to a code in which integrity, justice, and
understanding, coupled with a high ethical
standard have been paramount. Thus he
seeks to raise the standard of his profes-
sion to the dignity it deserves.

Perhaps it might be as well if we let

the local newspapers tell the story. These
excellent interpreters of public opinion,
reflecting the spirit of the communities
they serve so well, covered the presenta-
tions and attendant ceremonies. No doubt
all of our readers will be interested in
what they have to say.

VANCOUVER DAILY SUN
October 10th, 1946.
FORTY-ONE OFFICERS have been

given the award, according to Commis-
sioner T. W. S. Parsons. Two others

transferred last year to the Motor Vehicle
Branch also get the award.

On state occasions they may wear the
medal. On their uniforms they will
wear a ribbon of myrtle green with two
coloured stripes. .

Commissioner Parsons said that in
addition to those now on the force, the
medal will be given to members who are
in retirement after serving 20 years if
they apply.

It is the first medal ever struck by the
B.C. Government and actually worn.

As long ago as 1912 the government
struck a medal for six Indian chiefs who
delivered up two murderers. But the
Indians spurned the award, holding it was
blood-tainted.

Police officers will put on their ribbon

Page Thirty-one