OPP officer recognized for decades of impaired driving prevention work
Constable Aaron Coulter of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment has received the Terry Ryan Memorial Award for his 27 years of work.
OAKVILLE — An Ontario Provincial Police officer has been recognized for his more than 27 years of work in impaired driving prevention and enforcement.
MADD Canada awarded Constable Aaron Coulter of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment with the Terry Ryan Memorial for Excellence in Police Services Award.
The award was established by MADD Canada in memory of Constable Terry Ryan who was tragically killed in 2002 in an alcohol-related crash on his way home from a police function in the Durham Region, Ontario.
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It is presented annually and recognizes the significant contribution of a police officer in helping to reduce impaired driving.
"Proactive enforcement is an important part of reducing impaired driving and preventing crashes and injuries," said Trisha Dosaj, National President of MADD Canada, who was injured in an impaired driving crash in 2013 with her daughter, Sophia, while her sister, Jayna, and unborn niece, Lauren, were killed in the same crash.
"Constable Coulter’s commitment to enforcement, education, mentorship and community service is helping make our roads safer and deserves this recognition."
Constable Coulter is a qualified Breath Technician, Drug Recognition Evaluator and Standardized Field Sobriety Test Instructor.
Since 2004, he has collected more than 300 evidentiary breath samples. After becoming a Drug Recognition Evaluator in 2008, he has conducted or witnessed approximately 150 drug evaluations.
"Police officers work day and night to remove impaired drivers from our roads, waterways and trails," said Steve Sullivan, CEO of MADD Canada.
"They see the devastation of impaired driving firsthand and are often called to horrific crash scenes and tasked with delivering heartbreaking news to families. Their dedication to stopping impaired driving and protecting our communities means so much to MADD Canada and to every family affected by this preventable crime."
Acting Chief Superintendent Jodi Kays, Regional Commander for the OPP's Central Region, said Constable Coulter's commitment extends beyond his own investigations.
"Through mentorship, training and sharing his extensive expertise with colleagues across Central Region, he has helped strengthen our collective ability to keep communities safe," Kays said.
"His dedication to public safety and his support of fellow officers make him exceptionally deserving of this recognition. On behalf of Central Region, I congratulate him on receiving the Terry Ryan Memorial Award for Excellence in Police Services."
Beyond enforcement, Constable Coulter has shared his expertise at provincial and national conferences and supported schools and community groups through public education and outreach in English and French.
He has provided guidance and training to police services in remote communities, helping strengthen their impaired driving enforcement capabilities and contributing to public safety.
MADD Canada also hosts police awards to recognize police officers who go above and beyond to remove impaired drivers from the roads, waterways and trails in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and the Yukon.
With files from Financial Post