Another Belleville Police officer has been recognized for an act of life saving.
This past summer a citizen came into the Belleville Police Station, spurting blood out of their arm after severing an artery.
Constable Barry Lannin was one of two officers who applied a tourniquet to the wound and called medical personnel, who transferred the patient to Belleville General Hospital.
While on the way, the patient lost consciousness and needed a blood transfusion and surgery, but survived.
Medical staff told police that the tourniquet was so well applied that the surgeon didn’t replace it during the procedure, but instead used it and that if it hadn’t been applied as quickly and properly as it was, the patient surely would have died.
Now Acting Sergeant Lannin was recognized by the Belleville Police Services Board on Tuesday with the Chief’s Commendation for Meritorious Service.
Chief Ron Gignac says, while some people involved don’t always want the recognition it’s crucial to acknowledge officers and others for going above and beyond the call of duty, in life-saving situations.
The Chief also pointed out that the BPS has the highest number of officers nominated for citizen hero awards in the province over the past 23 months and the highest ratio per capita in the province for attaining the Ontario Police Fitness Award as well.
The police board also recognized Mayor Taso Christopher for his service as chair and vice chair of the board, dating back to 2011, with Chief Gignac saying the service has made great strides under his leadership, to becoming the best police force in Ontario.
Christopher, who was chairing his last meeting, says the board has worked extremely well through some tough challenges, during his tenure.
He adds that the police service portfolio is one of the most expensive in the city, with a budget around $16 million, but the board has done a good job managing that and working towards the chief’s goal of making Belleville the safest city in Ontario.
Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher at the November 20, 2018 meeting of the Belleville Police Services Board. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
