Two West Shore RCMP auxiliary constables have been awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition for their years of service to police work and the community.

Lorne Fletcher and Don Devenney were picked out for the honour. Across Canada 64 auxiliary constables received the award, including the two to the West Shore members. There are around 1,200 auxiliary constables in B.C.

The award is given to Canadians to honour significant contributions and achievements. In total 60,000 are being given out in honour of the 60th anniversary of the QueenB次元官网网址檚 accession to the throne.

B次元官网网址淚 was stunned, I really was,B次元官网网址� said Devenney. B次元官网网址淚 had not even thought that we would have been put up for it, at any stretch. I was quite surprised and quite humbled by the whole thing.B次元官网网址�

Devenney said in 17 years of service with the agency, he has never volunteered less than 200 hours and last year he clocked 360 hours. Devenney also took part in Tour de Rock in 2008 and the gruelling Sultan Marathon des Sables, a 246-kilometre run in the Moroccan Sahara desert, earlier this year.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always had a personal belief that you can either be a part of the solution or a part of the problem,B次元官网网址� Devenney said. B次元官网网址淚 chose to be a part of the solution. I also believe that everybody should be doing something toward their community.B次元官网网址�

Over 22 years Fletcher said he has contributed thousands of hours to the position, including his own Tour de Rock ride in 2003. For the past few years Fletcher has also been involved in the provincial advisory committee for the auxiliary program, which helps steer the direction of the program.

Fletcher said he entered the program as a new father and with community safety on his mind. Fletcher said now he sees the role from a broader perspective and believes in the greater community building opportunities the role provides.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 just kept me going, the opportunities to be involved different things,B次元官网网址� Fletcher said. B次元官网网址淭his is like any other volunteer position, you get, fully, out of it what you put into. You can make it as wonderful as you want it to be.B次元官网网址�

Both officers said the job isnB次元官网网址檛 for everyone, but for those who fit the bill joining the auxiliary constable program is an excellent way to give back to the community.

B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檝e got that core group of auxiliary coinstables who know the community, they know whatB次元官网网址檚 going on,B次元官网网址� Fletcher said. B次元官网网址淪o weB次元官网网址檙e a bit of a resource.B次元官网网址�