NPD Constable David Laing presented with Award of Valour
By Nelson Daily Staff
Constable David Laing of the Nelson Police Department joined 65 other officers last week at the B.C.’s 35th annual Police Honours Night in Victoria.
Laing, a long time member of the Nelson Police Department was recognized for bravery after placing himself at personal risk during the saving of a woman as she jumped from a bridge.
“You know I’m honoured but I represent everybody that works in this job,” Laing said in a video on the night he received an Award of Valour.
“Obviously it’s all of us should get awards. Lots of stuff doesn’t get recognized. It’s all not high profile pulling people back off the bridge over the edge, a lot of it is stuff you do every day.”
Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton presented awards to 66 outstanding officers.
These men and women – from a first-year constable to a chief superintendent – received awards, which include:
- Two officers who swam out into ice-cold water to pull a man from his sinking vehicle.
- An off-duty officer who pulled a grandmother and her two-year-old granddaughter to safety from a house engulfed in flames.
- An officer whose pioneering contributions to open source intelligence and social media investigations have not only benefited police departments in British Columbia, but around the world.
Liang was one of 22 officers receiving the award of valour, the highest award for a police officer in B.C.
These officers made a decision to place themselves at substantial personal risk to save others.
“As British Columbians, we can all take comfort knowing our communities are so well-served by the dedicated and professional members of our police agencies,” said Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon.
“I extend my thanks and congratulations to tonight’s recipients for their exemplary service and dedication to their fellow citizens.”
Forty-four officers were awarded meritorious service honours, which recognize exemplary performance that exceeds expectations.
Quick Facts:
- Police Honours Night recognizes members of independent municipal police forces, the RCMP, and First Nations and transit police services who have acted in an exemplary manner.
- In all, more than 9,000 members of these services deliver policing throughout B.C.
- Representatives from the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police and the ministry’s Police Services Division comprise a committee that selected the recipients.
