A Belleville Police Service officer is being recognized for his actions.
The Police Association of Ontario (PAO), along with the Belleville Police Service honoured Cst. Scott Tinsley on Monday morning for his role in a car chase that eventually led to abduction charges being laid against one man last September.
Tinsley was nominated for the 2020 Police Hero of the Year award in the category of On-Duty Difference Maker (sworn/uniform) and was a finalist/runner-up.
PAO President Bruce Chapman told those in attendance at the Belleville police station, Cst. Tinsley’s actions left lasting impressions leading to two nominations for the seven year veteran of the force.
Cst. Tinsley accepted the award and said he couldn’t take all the credit as it was a team effort that day.
Officers reached speeds of up to 155-160 km/h along Hwy. 2 according to Tinsley.
He said pursuits like that can end in very bad ways and there was traffic all around that afternoon. He was trying to maintain speed and keep a visual on the suspect car, all while not running into someone else.
Tinsley said it worked out for the best as no one was injured.
He says he hasn’t spoken much to the victim since that day but he is glad she was unharmed and hopes she is doing well.
Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith presents Belleville Police Constable Scott Tinsley with a certificate recognizing him as a finalist/runner-up for the 2020 Police Hero of the Year award. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith was also in attendance.
He said Cst. Tinsley rose to the call of duty and for his outstanding work that day.
Deputy Chief Mike Callaghan says in his 30 years of policing, every officer he has met has said they have wanted to make a difference and Cst. Tinsley has done just that.
Callaghan told Tinsley to stand tall and the award recognition is an incredible accolade.
Belleville Police Cst. Scott Tinsley (third from left) was a finalist/runner-up for the 2020 Police Hero of the Year award. From left: MPP Todd Smith, Belleville Police Association President Adam Donaldson, Cst. Tinsley, Erica Tinsley, Police Association of Ontario President Bruce Chapman and Belleville Police Deputy Chief Mike Callaghan. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
A list of the winners can be found here.
A link to the original story involving Cst. Tinsley can be found here.
