In the News

York Regional Police officer wins prestigious MADD award
yorkregion.com
November 16, 2009

A York Regional Police officer has won an award of excellence from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Chief Armand La Barge announced.

Sgt. Robert Martin is this year’s winner of the Terry Ryan Memorial Award for his commitment to the Drug Recognition Expert Program.

He received the award at a Sept. 26 ceremony in Toronto.

In April 2006, Sgt. Brown, a 20-year veteran of the force, was selected for a four-year program with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as a facilitator in the drug evaluation and classification program.

He travelled across North America training other police officers and running seminars.

Through his work, Sgt. Martin helped certify hundreds of police officers.

There are 27 drug recognition officers in York Regional Police alone and more than 6,500 across the continent.

In February 2008, Sgt. Martin was an expert witness called before the Canadian Senate’s standing committee on human rights and legal issues as part of hearings on Bill C-2.

The law, which was enacted July 2, 2008, prevents suspects from refusing roadside drug tests.

In 2007, York Regional Police received MADD’s award for laying the most drug impaired charges in Canada.

“We are very proud of Rob and his commitment to train officers how to recognize drug impairment,” Chief La Barge said. “This program has given police officers across Canada yet another tool in the fight against impaired driving.”

Impaired driving remains the No. 1 criminal cause of death in Canada.

Impaired drivers not only risk their lives, but the lives of every other driver and pedestrian on the road.