Two Vancouver Police officers, Superintendent Michael Porteous and Superintendent Jeffrey Sim, have been recognized for their exceptional service to their community and have been awarded the Member of the Order of Merit (M.O.M.). During this morning’s ceremony, his Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, presided over the Order of Merit of the Police Forces investiture ceremonies at Rideau Hall.

The Order of Merit of the Police Forces honours a career of exceptional service or distinctive merit displayed by the men and women of the Canadian Police Services, and recognizes their commitment to this country. The primary focus is on exceptional merit, contributions to policing and community development.

A Member of the Order of Merit is specifically recognized for exceptional service or performance of duty over an extended period, usually at the local or regional/provincial level.

The badge of the Order is the same as that of the Order of Military Merit, a blue-enamelled, straight-end cross (four arms, narrow at the centre, wider at the ends) with an annulus in red surmounted by St. Edward’s Crown, and bearing the inscription “MERIT.MÉRITE.CANADA.” The ribbon consists of three equal bands of blue, gold and blue.

More information on the Orders of Merit of the Police Forces can be found on the Governor General’s website.
2014.09.09. order-of-merit-porteousSUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL PORTEOUS
Superintendent Mike Porteous was born in Vancouver and raised in North Vancouver, where he graduated from Carson Graham Secondary School. After graduating from high school, he obtained a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of British Columbia.

Superintendent Porteous joined the VPD in 1984 and was promoted to the Superintendent rank in 2011, where he is now in charge of Investigative Services in the Investigation Division. While under his leadership, Vancouver saw record reductions in homicides and bank robberies, along with some of the highest solve rates in recent memory for all sections under his command.

Superintendent Porteous is an accredited Major Case Management Team Commander in British Columbia, and in this role has led various high profile and highly successful anti-gang and anti-corruption projects, such as Projects Rebellion, E-Patroon, Evian, SisterWatch, and Rescue, which have collectively significantly reduced gang violence and violence against the vulnerable in the Lower Mainland. He sits on numerous police groups and panels, including the British Columbia Major Case Management Committee. Further, Superintendent Porteous is the Officer in Charge and Chair of the Executive of the British Columbia Municipal Undercover Program.

Superintendent Porteous is heavily involved in the local soccer community as the coach of a local Vancouver Metro men’s soccer team, the VPD men’s soccer team, and various select sides. He has received numerous commendations, the Lieutenant Governor’s Award of Merit on two occasions, and is a former Police Officer of the Year (Vancouver Junior Board of Trade).

2014.09.09. order-of-merit-simSUPERINTENDENT JEFFREY H. SIM
Superintendent Jeffrey Sim began his policing career in 1982 when he joined the Lethbridge City Police Force. In 1986, he joined the Vancouver Police Department. Prior to beginning his policing career, Superintendent Sim completed a Diploma in Law Enforcement from the Lethbridge Community College. He continued his education while a member of the VPD and has completed a certificate in Adult Education from the University of Victoria, a bachelor of arts in Adult Education from the University of the Fraser Valley, and a graduate certificate in Strategic Human Resource Management from Royal Roads University.

Superintendent Jeff Sim was promoted to the Superintendent rank in 2010 and currently leads the Operations Division, South Command, the Emergency Response Section, the Traffic Section and two Duty Officers.

Superintendent Sim was seconded to the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) Police Academy as a program coordinator. As an inspector, he was assigned to the Operations Division as Officer in Charge of Vancouver’s southeast district, as well as the Director of Human Resources, the Inspector in charge of the Emergency Response Section and as one of the Operations Division’s Duty Officers. In addition to his regular duties, he was also one of the VPD’s Critical incident Commanders, responding to and commanding many critical incidents.