A Turner Valley RCMP officer has been recognized for going above and beyond working with an Alberta crime prevention organization.
Const. Joe Fennell was given the Alberta Law Enforcement Outstanding Service Award from the Alberta Citizens on Patrol Association (ACOPA) during its annual meeting last month in Red Deer. One officer in the province receives the award each year.
Fennell is a liaison officer with the Diamond Valley Citizens on Patrol Society (DVCOPS). The crime prevention organization nominated Fennell for his dedication over the last three years, DVCOPS vice president Mike King said.
Citizens on Patrol is supervised by the RCMP and a liaison officer is assigned to the group, King said.
“A few years ago, (Fennell) jumped in here and said, ‘Yeah, I’ll take that over,’” King said.
The officer attends Citizens on Patrol meetings, often on his own time, and people only have good things to say about his contributions, King said.
He answers questions, mentors group members and works to increase communication and information sharing with other organizations, King said.
“He mixes in extremely well,” King said. "(Fennell’s) accomplishments in our area go on and on."
DVCOPS president Gary Rowntree said Fennell has been a tremendous asset.
The organization hosted a reception for Fennell in Diamond Valley on Oct. 9.
