RCMP's 'Officer of the Year' named

CASTANET:
Going above the call of duty has given one North Okanagan RCMP member a new title, ‘Officer of the Year.’ Assistant Constable Dale Fennell received the award earlier this week in recognition of his dedication and commitment to his community. Every year, Inspector Steve McVarnock is asked by the Silver Star Rotary Club to identify a candidate to accept the local ‘Officer of the Year’ award. “This year, the senior management team of the Vernon North/Okanagan Detachment has collectively decided that the candidate would be Assistant Constable Fennell. This selection was reached based on the fact that Dale has volunteered over 25 years of service to the RCMP Assistant Constable Program, all of which have been served in the North Okanagan,” says McVarnock. He says Fennell’s contribution to the program has gone well past regular patrol style shifts. “Dale has and continues to be very active in the delivery of DARE classes, outdoor survival and firearms safety courses for School Districts 22/83, home and personal safety courses for seniors and coordinating Search and Rescue operations and snow mobile training in the Enderby Hunter Range area.” McVarnock says in addition to receiving a plaque, Fennell also received a cheque for $500 which is to be donated to a charity of his choice, the Children's Hospital Fund.