By Ryan Pilon

Police chief and deputy chief receive high honours

May 25, 2011 | 6:20 AM

Police chief Dale McFee and deputy chief Troy Cooper with the Prince Albert Police Service have been appointed to the Canadian Order of Merit of the Police Forces.

The Order of Merit is the most recognized award in policing, and McFee and Cooper were two of the 44 new members announced by the Office of the Governor General of Canada this week.

McFee received a promotion within the Order to Officer of the Order of Merit.

“It’s a bit of a humbling experience,” he said.

“Certainly it’s not about an individual to get to that level of recognition. I think it obviously takes a great team and a lot of strong people below you.”

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Cooper was appointed as Member of the Order of Merit. Cooper was unavailable to comment, but McFee had high praise for the deputy chief.

“I’m extremely proud of his leadership and what he’s accomplished on a provincial, and certainly, on a local level,” he said.

“You hate to say it, but you’re almost as excited, or more excited, for the person in your organization that has also achieved that honour.”

With two of its members receiving an award, it’s a testament to the work done by the Prince Albert Police Service, McFee said.

“That’s a sign of good things to come,” he said.

“I think we have a very strong leadership team, we have a very strong group of officers and civilian staff, so you know, I think it’s something we’ll see more of in the future.”

McFee and Cooper will receive their awards on June 8 at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

The order reflects long-term outstanding service and has three levels of membership: Commanders of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces are made at the national or international level, Officers of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces are made at the regional or provincial level, and Members of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces are made at the local or regional/provincial level.

rpilon@panow.com