Former Nelson Police Chief Dan Maluta, other officers honoured for valour, service above and beyond
By Nelson Daily Editor
Former Chief Const. Dan Maluta of the Nelson Police Department was recognized Friday for outstanding service to policing in B.C., 1982-2011.
Maluta, now retired, and other police officers who saved British Columbians from knife- and gun-wielding assailants, burning cars and homes, youth gang involvement and child predators were honoured Friday at B.C.’s 31st annual Police Honours Night.
Maluta relinquished command of the Nelson Police Department to Chief Constable Wayne Holland in a Change of Command Ceremony Jan. 27.
Chief Maluta, originally from Trail, left after nine years at the NPD helm as chief constable. He came to the NPD in 1990 as a constable, after nine years of policing in Vancouver.
He said setting up the Integrated Road Safety Unit (with the RCMP), getting the police badge and flag conferred by the governor general (colours approved for the department), and creating the first ever strategic plan for the department as highlights of his tenure.
Under his command, crime statistics in Nelson had shown an increasingly dropping rate.
“We can’t take all of the credit for that one, because it is part of an overall, sweeping demographic phenomena,” he said earlier this year. “But our clearance rates have gone up, which means we’re solving a lot of crime, and all of the really important crime.”
In all, 69 officers are receiving awards:
- Twenty-two for valorous service – that is, exemplary service in the face of extreme hazard and personal risk.
- Forty-three for meritorious service, which involves actions above the call of duty that enhance the image of policing in B.C.
- One retired RCMP deputy commissioner and three retired chief constables — including Maluta — for outstanding service.
Lieut. Gov. Steven Point, and Shirley Bond, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Attorney General, were presenting the awards at a ceremony at Government House.
See also
Holland to take over from Maluta on Jan. 27
