STEPHENVILLE, N.L. — Being named the top female cop in Atlantic Canada was very flattering and humbling, to say the least, for Const. Ann-Marie Gallop.
The Bay St. George RCMP officer was named the winner of the Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award last month.
The honour goes to a female police officer in the Atlantic region with a history of excellence in leadership, community service, mentoring and performance.
Originally from Hampden, White Bay, Gallop lived in Stephenville during her high school years, so the town is familiar to her.
She has been a police officer for 17 years and had postings in many communities. Both she and her husband, Staff Sgt. Rod Gallop, have been stationed in Stephenville for just over a year.
“We’re very content here in Stephenville. The town is lovely, the people are lovely, and it has everything you need despite being a small town,” she said.
Detachment Sgt. Troy Bennett put her name forward for the award. Gallop said it was unexpected, but appreciated.
“I’m always thankful when something nice comes along,” she said.
Bennett nominated Gallop in recognition of her outstanding contributions to policing in Newfoundland and Labrador and all the Canadian communities she has served during her career.
He said Const. Gallop’s service with the RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and British Columbia has been exemplary.
Her volunteer work and extracurricular activities, Bennett noted, changed the lives of youth at risk, as well as RCMP members and their families. She has fostered positive police relations with youth, Indigenous communities and other policing agencies on a local and national level.
He said Gallop has demonstrated personal motivation, excellent teamwork, leadership and professionalism this last year in Stephenville and during her entire career.
“Her job performance demonstrates her dedication to the RCMP and more importantly her dedication to the public she serves,” Bennett said.
He said this is the biggest award a female officer in Atlantic Canada can receive as it comprises all separate sections of policing rolled into one.
Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award criteria:
• Leadership – awarded to any female officer who distinguishes herself by superior accomplishments or continuing long-term involvement using leadership skills that encompass, but not
limited to, problem solving, planning, organizational, communication, being a positive role model, and/or administration which make a significant contribution within the agency or the law
enforcement mission.
• Community Service – awarded to any female officer who distinguishes herself by superior accomplishment through developing, designing, implementing, and participating in programs
involving communities that include neighborhoods, schools, community meetings or businesses.
• Mentoring/Coaching Award – awarded to any female officer, who distinguishes herself with her support and assistance to women in law enforcement, development of programs or policies
favorable to women, serving on committees/organizations that review women’s issues.
• Excellence in Performance – awarded to any female officer who distinguishes herself through superior attention to duty or outstanding investigative effort that leads to the identification,
location, or arrest, or a major criminal or criminal activity.
Source: Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement
