2011 Police Appreciation Night Award Winners
Herbert H. Carnegie Community Award
Winner: Constable Johnny Campuzano
Constable Johnny Campuzano joined York Regional Police in 2002. He worked as a Uniform Patrol officer for four years before transferring to the Community Services Bureau in 2006. He is currently assigned to the Guns and Gang Prevention Team and is #4 District’s first Gang Prevention Officer. He believes in being a positive role model.
Constable Johnny Campuzano likely never thought his career in policing would lead to an audience with the Prime Minister. But it happened, thanks to his hard work and dedication to youth in his community. As part of the award-winning York Region Against Guns and Gangs strategy, Constable Campuzano identifies at-risk youth and develops a personal connection with them.
For five years, Constable Campuzano has been a dedicated volunteer for Fuerza Latina Community Services, a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of youth programs for the Hispanic community. Among his many contributions to this organization, Constable Campuzano developed the annual Fuerza Latina Youth Achievement Award which recognizes a young person who has achieved success through hard work and dedication. The very first recipient of the Youth Achievement Award was a young recovering drug addict and former gang member. With Constable Campuzano’s support, Matthew turned his life around and today, owns his own business and has returned to school.
Constable Campuzano was named one of Canada’s most influential Hispanic Canadians by the Canadian Hispanic Business Association. Last May, Constable Campuzano was one of the 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians who travelled to Ottawa for an audience with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Rob Plunkett Oustanding Service to the Community
Winner: Inspector Gary Miner
Inspector Gary Miner joined York Regional Police in 1976, more than 35 years ago, as a young Cadet. He has worked in every district across York Region and has been the officer in charge of the Drugs and Vice Unit and Criminal Investigations Bureaus as well as working in the Major Crimes Unit. He is currently assigned to the Duty Office.
Inspector Gary Miner gets involved. He always has. Whether it is in his community at a volunteer level, or through his duties as an Inspector in the Duty Office, he inspires trust and creates confidence.
He works closely with victims and their families and gives countless volunteer hours to his community, including with the Out of the Cold program, the Literacy Council and the Junior Achievement Program.
He is the go-to officer for students at Richmond Hill High School, who for six years now, have raised funds for a school in Sierra Leone through the annual Hope and Soap Car Wash.
Inspector Miner participates in the annual Wishmaker Parade for the Children’s Wish Foundation and attends the annual Peace Keepers Parade. He spearheaded the Welcome Home Initiative in 2010, bringing officers together to welcome soldiers returning home from Afghanistan.
A long-standing passion for Inspector Miner is the York Dragons, a dragon boat team he has managed for many years that has raised more than $10,000
for local charities.
Inspector Miner believes in giving back and his continued commitment to his community has enriched it. His refusal to take credit for much of the work only makes it more special and makes him a worthy recipient of the 2011
Excellence in Policing
Winner: Staff Sergeant Bradley Bulmer
Staff Sergeant Bradley Bulmer joined York Regional Police in 1980. He worked in #1 and #3 Districts before joining the Traffic Bureau in 1987. Since then, he has worked in all areas of the bureau including enforcement, commercial vehicle inspections, traffic safety education and collision investigation. He is an accredited collision reconstructionist and a Certified Municipal Manager.
Staff Sergeant Bradley Bulmer, the officer in charge of the Traffic Bureau, has been described like this: “His commitment to road safety is relentless, his passion infectious and hisdedication unwavering.”
After seven years as a frontline officer Staff Bulmer was transferred to the newly-created Traffic Bureau in 1987. He was the first York Regional Police officer to complete complex collision reconstruction training and created the first aircraft speed enforcement program in Ontario.
In the fall of 2003, Staff Bulmer opened the Community Resource Centre in Richmond Hill, saving thousands of man-hours for frontline officers. In 2006, he returned to the Traffic Bureau as Safety Programs Coordinator, implementing such innovative programs as Operation Stay Focused, Cross Smart and Operation ABC.
In June 2007, he launched Safe Roads... Your Call. To date, this program remains the single most effective traffic safety program in the history of York Regional Police, resulting in more than 900 arrests for impaired driving.
Staff Sergeant Bulmer has received dozens of awards, both on a local and national stage. He is a visionary, a leader and an innovator who truly demonstrates Excellence in Policing.
Bravery in the Line of Duty
Winners: Constable Robert Hands, Constable David Flood, Constable Danielle Morrison, Constable Dustin Lemmon, Constable Jessica Root
On March 19, 2010, at approximately 4:45 p.m., the York Regional Police Communications Bureau received numerous 9-1-1 calls advising that several
people had fallen through the ice in the area of Cook’s Bay on Lake Simcoe.
The four male victims, aged 37 to 67, had been kite surfing on the lake. But
recent warm temperatures meant the ice had deteriorated significantly and was no longer safe. The victims hit open water approximately 500 metres from shore and plunged into the icy water.
Their screams of panic could be heard from shore. Members of #3 District Uniform Patrol, the Marine Unit and the Georgina Fire Department responded immediately, knowing that every second the men were in the frigid water lessened their chances of survival.
First on scene were Uniform Constables Dustin Lemmon and Jessica Root. They were closely followed by two Marine Unit officers, Constables Robert
Hands and David Flood. Another Uniform officer, Constable Danielle Morrison, arrived seconds later.
Despite the numbing cold and the risk to their personal safety, each of the officers donned their ice rescue suits and began the dangerous trek across the slushy, unstable ice. Constables Hands and Flood finally reached the first victim, who was completely submerged except for his mouth and nose. He was suffering from severe hypothermia and was unable to communicate at all. He couldn’t swim, couldn’t lift his limbs and could not assist the officers in any way.
Constables Hands and Flood knew they needed to act fast. They plunged into the water beside the victim and supported him as they fitted him with a buoyancy collar to keep his head above the water. Constable Morrison ensured the officers were as safe as possible, maintaining a strong hold on the officers’ safety lines despite the fact the ice was breaking up around her.
Within five minutes of receiving the dispatch call, Georgina Fire Service launched its air boat and the firefighters aboard immediately began the
difficult approach towards the first victim. Working together in the freezing conditions, the officers and firefighters were able to lift the now almost-lifeless victim into the boat. He was quickly transported to shore and into an awaiting ambulance.
Meanwhile, Constables Root and Lemmon continued their difficult journey across ice mixed with open patches of water to reach the three remaining
victims who were even farther away. For almost 20 minutes, Constables Root and Lemmon held the stunned victims afloat, reassuring them help was on the way. The severe hypothermia rendered the men nearly powerless and unable to assist themselves or the officers. Finally the air boat returned for them and they were safely lifted aboard.
All four men suffered life-threatening hypothermia. Three of the victims were rushed to Southlake Regional Health Centre by ambulance and the
fourth was transported by air ambulance to the trauma unit of a Toronto area hospital. Four lives were saved by the heroic and selfless actions of these officers who certainly made a difference in our community that day.
Civilian Recognition Award
Winner: Jo Ann Brown
Jo-Ann Brown worked as a legal assistant before joining York Regional Police in 2003 as a Court Bureau Clerk. She transferred to the Major Case Management Unit in 2005 and then to Investigative Services in 2006 where she currently works as an Administrative Assistant. She has been married to husband Eric since 1987 and has three children, Andy, 20, Mackenzie, 16 and Abbie, 10.
When Jo-Ann joined York Regional Police, she learned very quickly about our volunteer program. The concept wasn’t new - she has been volunteering in her community since she was 14 years old.
She has been a driving force for Special Olympics since the 2000 Spring Games, held here in York Region. She works hard as a Holiday Hero and assists with our annual Halloween in the Village and Holidays in the Village events.
Jo-Ann organized the Financial Crimes Seminar for Small Business in 2008 and 2009 and was a member of the planning committee for the grand opening of our new Central Services Building. For many years, Jo-Ann has also served on the school council of the Mazo de la Roche Public School.
Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti in January 2010, Jo-Ann organized a drive for milk bags when she learned they were used to make plastic mats for sleeping.
What sets Jo-Ann apart isn’t just the hundreds of hours she volunteers in the community, it’s also her bright personality and unflagging enthusiasm.
Jo-Ann has become a true leader at York Regional Police. She serves as an excellent ambassador for this organization, a constant and friendly face at
many of our events and is a true professional in her day-to-day duties for Investigative Services.
