Yellowknife (Mar 01/04) - Eleven heroic and dedicated crime fighters were recognized for their efforts during an awards ceremony in Yellowknife recently.

The 'G' Division RCMP awards ceremony was held at the legislative assembly.

Cpl. Francis Cullen of the Holman detachment was one of seven RCMP members to receive the long-service award.

Cullen, who has been with the force nearly 24 years and was recently promoted to corporal, has spent the past year working in the 400-person hamlet of Holman.

"It was an excellent ceremony," he said from his Holman office last week. "Quite a few people turned up."

Cullen has a real passion for policing and he always puts the community first.

He said the most challenging part of policing in a remote community is having to compensate for the lack of support and professional resources available.

Other long-service award recipients include Sgt. Brian Winters of Fort Simpson for 35 years of service, Insp. Gregory Morrow, Sgt. Marion Lamothe, Sgt. Donald Fisher, Cpl. Gary Asels, Cpl. Phillip Guspodarchuk and civilian members Debra Eben and James Cran.

Winters began his career in Regina, Sask, in 1968. He quickly worked his way up to the RCMP's commercial crime unit in Toronto, where he teamed up with current commissioner Guiliano Zaccardelli. He spent 15 years there before heading North.

His first Northern posting was in Clyde River. He then moved on to Yellowknife, Fort Resolution, Fort Smith, Iqaluit and Tuktoyaktuk before arriving in Fort Simpson last year.

Winters calls the 16 years he has spent in the North the best of his career.

"It's a place where you can make a difference. At the end of most days, you can go home with a sense of satisfaction, knowing that you've helped someone."

Brave men

Const. Matthew Hare, a former member of the Tuktoyaktuk detachment who now works in Rae, received the Commanding Officer's Commendation for bravery and courage for a situation he helped resolve while working in Tuktoyaktuk.

Const. Gary Scott Patterson of Fort Smith was also awarded the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal and the Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation Insignia for his work in the Canadian Armed Forces.

"I think (the awards) are important because our job is unique from what other peoples' jobs are," said Sgt. Gary Edgar of the Yellowknife detachment.

"TV doesn't do justice or speak to the day to day stresses our members deal with ... It's a demanding job no matter what kind of services you are in."

The awards are bestowed upon the RCMP by the Canadian people in recognition for their services, said Edgar.

"I think it is good to pause to take the time to recognize extended periods of service," he said.