An Abbotsford Police sergeant has received a national award.
Sgt. Paul Walker was awarded the National Police Award for Traffic Safety on Monday (Aug. 12) by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP).
The CACP is holding its annual summit and policing trade show in Halifax from August. 11 to 13.
The National Police Award for Traffic Safety recognizes excellence, dedication and initiative in the field of traffic safety by enforcement officers.
"The purpose of this award is to identify and commend active enforcement personnel for their work to improve road safety and to encourage others to implement new initiatives or publicize those in which they are already involved," says the CACP website.
"The award is specific to an outstanding achievement completed or reaching a significant milestone within the previous calendar year. Best practices collected through the award process are shared broadly with Canada’s police community."
The work conducted by the APD's traffic unit includes speed, intersection, impaired-driving and dangerous-driving enforcement; commercial vehicle checks; collision response; and road safety education.
In the first six months of 2024, the unit issued 2,700 violation tickets, including 203 for excessive speed and 334 for high-risk behaviour. The officers also caught 381 impaired drivers and attended 343 collisions.
Walker said much of the team's work involves "intelligence-led" traffic enforcement.
Walker has served various roles with the Abbotsford Police Department since joining in 2011, including with patrol and the gang crime unit.
From 2016 to 2018, he was with the RCMP’s integrated road safety unit, and was the APD’s main media officer until 2023 before moving to sergeant of the traffic enforcement unit.
In October 2023, Walker received the Public Information Management Award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police for his service to the community during the 2021 floods.
Walker was at the forefront of releasing information from the APD at the time, posting regular updates to social media at the height of the disaster and the days and weeks that followed.
His posts included extensive photos and videos of the most-impacted areas on Sumas Prairie and in Clayburn Village.
Walker has received several other awards over the years, including a Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Meritorious Service, RCMP commanding officer’s commendation, BC Association Chiefs of Police award, and chief constable and inspector commendations.
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