VPD awards honour officers, civilians who have ‘gone beyond the call’

The 2015 Police Officer of the Year award went to Const. Sam Primerano, described as “a tenacious crime-fighter and natural leader” throughout his 15 years with the VPD. Jan. 19, 2016. (CTV News).

Police officers saving a German tourist who drove into frigid water. Two women preventing a man from jumping off a bridge to his death. An officer convincing a suicidal young man to drop his knife.

These are just some of the heroic acts recognized at the 2016 Vancouver Police Department Commendation Ceremony held Tuesday morning. The annual awards ceremony honours both police officers and “seemingly average everyday people” who have “gone beyond the call.”

Among the officers recognized were Constables Ismail Bhabha and Nicholas Wong, who were awarded the Chief Constable’s Commendation.

In October 2014, the duo rescued an elderly driver and his dog from the water after the man visiting from Germany drove down a boat launch ramp at Vanier Park.

“I don’t think when [the officers] came to work that day they expected they would be diving into the cold water saving someone’s life,” said Chief Adam Palmer. “But that’s what we’re trained to do. They stepped up, they did an amazing job and I’m super proud of them.”

The award comes just months after Bhabha was found guilty of assaulting a cyclist who ran a red light in Yaletown. The officer struck the cyclist in March 2013 while trying to put him in handcuffs, an incident that was caught on a bystander’s cell phone camera and uploaded to YouTube.

Bhabha was sentenced to a conditional discharge with six months’ probation in November, when VPD announced the cop would be keeping his job given his “good track record.”

At Tuesday’s award ceremony Palmer stood by his decision, telling CTV News he was happy he kept Bhabha on the force.

“He’s done and amazing job and I’m proud of the work he did,” said Palmer. “Everybody has little hiccups in their lives, and he got through and moved on. Things are going to be fine for him. I’m happy with my decision.”

The 2015 Police Officer of the Year award went to Const. Sam Primerano, described as “a tenacious crime-fighter and natural leader” throughout his 15 years with the VPD.

Together with his service dog Lupo, Primerano made 90 arrests in three years, and has numerous awards, such as the Meritorious Service from the Attorney General for persuading a suicidal young man to drop his knife.

Several civilians also received awards on Tuesday, including Kana Sato and Jessica Ternowski.

The two women were walking across the Burrard Bridge in January 2015 when they saw a man climbing over the protective railings with the intention of ending his life.

Each of the women grabbed one of the man’s legs and held on for five minutes – even when the man fought them and they were pushed to the ground. Police eventually arrived and took the man into custody.

For their efforts Sato and Ternowski were given the VPD’s highest award for civilian bravery, the Award of Merit.

With files from CTV Vancouver’s Scott Hurst