ESTEVAN — Four Estevan Police Service members were recognized for their contributions in battling impaired driving last year.
Constables Paul Chabot, Michelle Beaulieu, Katelynn Ruthven and Danielle Stephany recently received silver Van De Vorst Family Awards.
The leader of the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Connie Hagel handed the four officers the coins, which are presented to law enforcement members who have detected and apprehended eight or more impaired drivers in a calendar year.
Hagel said that the number of awards handed out in the community depends on how many impaired drivers are convicted that year. So far, four recipients is the highest Estevan has ever had.
The awards recognize police officers in Saskatchewan who have charged between eight and 16 impaired drivers (silver coin), 17 to 39 impaired drivers (gold coin) or 40 or more impaired drivers (platinum coin).
Ruthven had 11 impaired driving convictions, Chabot had eight, and Beaulieu and Stephany each had nine.
"It's not going away. If I'm presenting that many awards, that means there's a lot of impaired drivers still on the roads," Hagel said.
She noted officers were proud to receive the awards.
"They're doing their work. They're proud to get those impaired drivers off the road," she said. "And I'm just proud that I can hand out the awards. They're doing the hard work. I appreciate the hard work, so keep up the good work."
