New Westminster’s police chief is being recognized for his “exemplary contributions and dedicated years of service” to policing.
New Westminster Police Department Chief Const. Dave Jansen has been awarded the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, which was created in 2000 to recognize conspicuous merit and exceptional service by members and employees of Canadian police forces whose contributions extend beyond protection of the community.
“The City of New Westminster is very proud of Chief Const. Jansen and his well-deserved investiture as a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces,” said Mayor Jonathan Cote in a news release. “Throughout his career, Chief Jansen has demonstrated his commitment to the community of New Westminster and the policing profession. We are extremely honoured to work alongside him, and thank him for his dedication.”
Each year, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police issues a call for nominations to police officers, members of police associations, police boards, elected government officials, civilians and community leaders at all levels across Canada. The awards focus on contributions are made over one’s career and not on a single incident or contribution to one program.
According to the Governor General of Canada website, around 100 nominations are considered by the advisory committee each year and about 45 appointments are recommended annually.
There are three levels of membership of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces with post-nominal letters reflecting long-term, outstanding service: Commander (C.O.M.), Officer (O.O.M.) and Member (M.O.M.).
“I am very honoured to have been appointed as a member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces,” Jansen said in a news release. “It is a privilege to lead this team of officers and support staff who work tirelessly for the safety and well-being of our community every day.”
Jansen’s nomination was put forward by the NWPD’s commendations and recognition committee.
Recipients are invited to a ceremony in Ottawa, where they are presented with the insignia of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces by the Governor General. The ceremony may happen in the fall, but that’s yet to be determined as COVID has delayed some of these presentations.
Jansen, a New Westminster resident, took on the role of the NWPD’s chief constable on June 9, 2020. He began his policing career with the New Westminster Police Department in 1990.
Jansen was first promoted to sergeant in 2003 and to staff-sergeant in 2006. He was promoted to inspector in 2011 and to deputy chief in 2015.
During his career he has worked in a number of positions, including patrol, the operational support unit and the major crime unit, as well as a secondment to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team where he was a team leader. During his time as an inspector, Jansen spent time overseeing all three divisions – patrol, support services and administration.
According to the NWPD, Jansen has been the recipient of three Senior Officers Commendations and an OIC Commendation from the RCMP.
