Morden Police Officer Honoured With Special Recognition

His passion and dedication to making our communities safer have earned a Morden police officer special recognition.
    
Constable Jonathan Goertzen was presented with the Excellence in Law Enforcement Award for outstanding contributions to policing and communities.
    
Goertzen was instrumental in the organization and formation of the Regional Support Tactical Team (RSTT) where his hard work and dedication to law enforcement have enhanced the service provided to the citizens in the entire Pembina Valley region. The RSTT includes members of the Morden, Winkler, and Altona Police Departments.

"It's obviously something I never expected to get in my entire career," said Goertzen in response to receiving the award.  "You obviously work hard and do everything you can, but it's more of a passion for me."

Goertzen said the award would not have been possible without his regional partners on the team who share the same passion as he does.

However, the regional tactical team wouldn't be possible without the support of the chiefs from Morden, Winkler, and Altona. "We all work as a team, we're all brothers and there's no difference at all. They all have an extreme passion just like I do, and without them, there would absolutely be no team.  I happen to be getting the award, but they all deserve it just as much as I do."

Goertzen dreamed of the (RSTT) for a number of years before it became a reality. "I was always into the tactical side of policing and as a Use of Force Instructor I went through a course, and from there I realized how we could be so much better in certain ways of executing search warrants or dealing with unplanned high-risk situations."

He said there is definitely a need for the RSTT, adding the more prepared they are, the safer the community.

Goertzen was presented with the honour by Justice Minister Heather Stefanson at last week's Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police Excellence in Policing Awards Dinner.