November 29, 2011
Kelowna Corrections Officer Receives Awards

KELOWNA – Charlene Lewis from Kelowna Youth Probation was among 28 corrections and probation officers from around the province honoured at the Solicitor General’s annual Corrections Exemplary Service Medals award ceremony.

Why this matters:

• The awards are presented to honour Corrections staff members who have reached milestones for exemplary service, beginning at 20 years for the Corrections Exemplary Service Medal and 30 years for the Corrections Exemplary Service Bar.

Quotes:

“It’s good to see an officer from Kelowna Youth Probation receiving some much-deserved recognition. Efforts from dedicated officers like Charlene Lewis have and continue to make a significant difference in the community.”
- Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart

“It is an understatement to say these individuals have demanding jobs. Ms. Lewis richly deserves this recognition of her service – and our thanks for helping to keep the Okanagan safe.”
- Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick

“These 28 dedicated men and women fully deserve this recognition. Not just for their years of service, but each of them has accomplished so much in their careers.”
- Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson

Quick Facts:

• The standards for these awards are established by the Chancellery of Canadian Orders and Decorations for medal recipients.
• The first Canadian medal to recognize long and outstanding service in the public safety professions was the Police Exemplary Service Medal, created on Aug. 12, 1982. The second was the Corrections Exemplary Service Medal, created by Letters Patent signed by Her Majesty the Queen on June 11, 1984.

-30-

Media contact: Maclean Kay, B.C. Government Caucus Communications: 250-952-0778

BACKGROUNDER

2011 Award Recipients

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Robert John Alexander -- Fraser Regional Correctional Centre, Maple Ridge, B.C.

Kevin Batter – Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre, Kamloops B.C.

Walter Baxter – Nanaimo Correctional Centre, Nanaimo, B.C.

June Birch – North Fraser Pretrial Centre, Port Coquitlam, B.C.

William (Bill) Bouthot – Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre, Kamloops, B.C.

Giuseppe (Pino) Cuscito – North Fraser Pretrial Centre, Port Coquitlam, B.C.

Donald Horning – Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre, Kamloops, B.C.

Leona Imrie – Surrey Pretrial Services Centre, Surrey, B.C.

Rodney Johnston – Surrey Pretrial Services Centre, Surrey, B.C.

Alanna Love – Prince George Regional Correctional Centre, Prince George, B.C.

Phillip McArthur – North Fraser Pretrial Centre, Port Coquitlam, B.C.

Maurice Weistra – Fraser Regional Correctional Centre, Maple Ridge, B.C.

Sandra Murray – Maple Ridge Community Corrections Office, Maple Ridge, B.C.

Chad Salim – Surrey East Community Corrections Office, Surrey, B.C.

Marilynn Watchorn – Vancouver West Community Corrections Office, Vancouver, B.C.

Ministry of Children and Family Development

Randy Anderson – Vancouver South Youth Justice

William (Mark) Armitage – Vancouver Island Regional Office

Kevin Bennett – Burnaby Custody Services, Burnaby, B.C.

Shannon Elliott – Prince George Youth Probation Office, Prince George, B.C.

Kim Fogtmann – Prince George Youth Custody Services, Prince George, B.C.

Sheryl Hudspeth – Burnaby Youth Custody Services, Burnaby, B.C.

Ian King – Prince George Youth Custody Services, Prince George, B.C.

Charlene Lewis – Kelowna Youth Probation, Kelowna, B.C.

Pamela (Pam) MacDonald – Victoria Youth Custody Services, Victoria, B.C.

Narinder (Nin) Mand – Youth Justice Custody Consultant

Roger Meuser – Victoria Youth Custody Services, Victoria, B.C.

Karl Olfert – Abbotsford Youth Team, Abbotsford, B.C.

Mark Streifel – Burnaby Youth Custody Services, Burnaby, B.C.