Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Police chief receives Order of Merit

Rick Bourassa says receiving the award is a testament to local police service

Gov. Gen. David Johnston, chancellor of the order,
presents the member insignia of the Order of Merit of
the Police Forces to Chief Rick Bourassa, M.O.M. during
the Order of Merit of the Police Forces investiture
ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Sept. 18, 2015.
Photo by Sgt. Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall,
OSGG © Her Majesty The Queen in Right of
Canada represented by the Office of the
Secretary to the Governor General, 2015. 

By Lisa Goudy

In the spring, Police Chief Rick Bourassa received a letter from the Governor General's office. It was top-secret information.

"It was advising me that I was going to be invested in the Order," he said. "It was quite a surprise and it was quite exciting. Of course, they asked that I not say anything publicly, so I haven't said anything other than to just a few people who needed to know."

Accompanied by his family, including his children and grandchildren, he travelled to Ottawa for the ceremony, which took place on Friday. At that time, Gov. Gen. David Johnston, chancellor of the order, presented Bourassa with the member insignia of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, M.O.M. He was one of 49 people who received the order - one named commander, four named officers and 44 named members.

Read more