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Long-service awards presented to Amherst police officers

Six Amherst police officers were presented with long-service awards during a ceremony at Amherst town hall on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.

“We are very fortunate in the Town of Amherst to have a very dedicated and professional police force,” Mayor David Kogon said. “Combined, these officers have provided 135 years of outstanding service to this community. Their contributions to the police department and to the community are impactful and exceptional. We thank them for their superlative service.”

“Today’s recipients have provided the Amherst Police Department and the town’s citizens with exemplary service and leadership during their careers,” Police Chief Dwayne Pike said. “These officers have provided an unwavering commitment to serving this community and have served with dignity and honour.”

Receiving the federal long-service awards were:

Deputy Chief Tim Hunter – 30 years of exemplary service. He was hired part time in August 1992 and full time in October 1994. Hunter has been actively involved in crime prevention, school programing and coaching through his career. He was assigned to the patrol, major crime and street crime divisions. He was promoted to Sergeant on Oct. 31, 2010. On July 1, 2018, he was promoted to staff sergeant and on May 28, 2019, Hunter was promoted to deputy chief.Brian Gairns – 30 years of exemplary service. Initially hired as a term employee in May 1989, Gairns started full time with the Amherst Police Department on Nov. 1, 1991. He worked in the department’s drug enforcement position during his term position and in major crimes before returning to the patrol section. Gairns was promoted to Sergeant in 2004 and on July 19, 2019, he was promoted to staff sergeant.

SSGT Brian Gairns – 30 years of exemplary service. Initially hired as a term employee in May 1989, Gairns started full time with the Amherst Police Department on Nov. 1, 1991. He worked in the department’s drug enforcement position during his term position and in major crimes before returning to the patrol section. Gairns was promoted to Sergeant in 2004 and on July 19, 2019, he was promoted to staff sergeant.

Sgt. Robert MacPherson – 30 years of exemplary service. Sgt. MacPherson was initially hired on Feb. 9, 19. In 1999, MacPherson was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and worked in that role until his retirement in 2022.

Receiving provincial long-service awards were:

Const. Tasha Estabrooks – 15 years of exemplary service. Estabrooks was hired part time October 2005 and full time on February 20, 2009. She has served as the department’s school resource officer as part of the Province of Nova Scotia additional officer Program. Estabrooks is currently assigned to patrol duties.

Sgt. Kevin Girouard – 15 years of exemplary service. Girouard was hired in December 2005. He has served in the major crime and patrol sections during his career. Girouard was promoted to sergeant in March 2014.

Sgt. Chris Jobe – 15 years of exemplary service. Jobe was hired in October 2006. He has served as a patrol officer and in the department’s street crime section as well. Jobe was promoted to Sergeant on December 2, 2019.

Sergeants Girouard, Jobe and MacPherson were unable to attend the ceremony.

Cpl. Tom Wood was also presented with a plaque commemorating his promotion to corporal in December 2022.