Three organizations dedicated to seeing impaired drivers removed from the road have recognized six Moose Jaw police officers for their work in doing just that during the past year.
During an awards presentation on Nov. 15 in Saskatoon, MADD Canada, in partnership with SGI and the Van de Vorst family, presented constables Alanna Coghill, Sarah Kristy, Ryan Lundquist, Brandon Braun, Payton Denet and Jacques Geyer with the Van de Vorst Family Award.
Linda and Lou Van de Vorst created the award five years ago to honour their son and his family after an impaired driver killed them in 2016.
Officers who charged between eight and 16 impaired drivers during the last calendar year — April 1 to March 31 — received a Silver Challenge Coin and a certificate of recognition. Those who charged 17 or more were presented with a Gold Challenge Coin, and, new this year, officers who removed 40 or more impaired drivers from the roads received the Platinum Award.
Coghill, who is part of the Community Policing Division with the Moose Jaw Police Service, achieved 15 suspensions or impaired driving charges, specifically, five Criminal Code charges and 10 licence suspensions. She was awarded a Silver Challenge Coin.
“This is the recognition that you’re doing the right thing and making the community a safer place for all,” Coghill said. “Additionally, you’re making sure your co-workers are going home safe at the end of the night and the community as well.”
Kristy, who is also a part of the Community Policing Division, has excelled in removing impaired drivers from the roads. This past calendar year, she charged nine motorists with seven Criminal Code charges and two licence suspensions, which earned her a Silver Challenge Coin.
“The simple fact is that impaired drivers steal lives from our communities every single day. Every arrest or licence suspension that saves a life is a win, and I’ll take any chance I can,” said Kristy.
Lundquist is part of the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) Unit within the MJPS and captured 17 motorists, including 10 for Criminal Code charges and seven for licence suspensions).
Lundquist earned himself a Gold Challenge Coin.
“I am honoured to receive this Van de Vorst Award for removing impaired drivers from the streets. I went to university with Chanda Van de Vorst and knew both her and Quinn Stevenson through officiating hockey. Both were killed by impaired drivers,” the officer said.
“I take pride in removing impaired drivers from the streets and working to prevent other families from going through what the Van de Vorsts and Stevensons had to go through.”
Another member of the CTSS is Braun, who was recognized for his work in targeting impaired drivers. In total, he removed 26 motorists off the road, including 10 for Criminal Code charges and 16 for licence suspensions.
Braun was recognized with a Gold Challenge Coin.
Denet also worked hard to remove impaired drivers from the roadways. From April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, he removed nine motorists for either impaired driving or a licence suspension. He earned a Silver Coin.
Geyer was the final member to be recognized with the Van de Vorst Family Award, as he removed 12 motorists from roadways in and around Moose Jaw, including nine for Criminal Code charges and three for licence suspensions). He was presented with a Silver Coin.
From March 31, 2022, to April 1, 2023, MJPS members laid 116 impaired charges and suspended 158 licences.
In total, 69 officers from various provincial, federal, municipal, and university agencies were recognized during the ceremony. Recipients were responsible for taking a combined 1,666 impaired drivers off the road.
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