Provincial Constable Gabe Kokas has been named Grey Highlands 2023 OPP Officer of the Year.
Police Services Board chair Lynn Silverton, Mayor Paul McQueen and OPP Staff Sergeant Debra Anderson presented the award to Kokas at the Grey Highlands council meeting held on April 3.
Kokas is a 12-year veteran of the OPP and joined the Markdale detachment in August 2012.
“He demonstrates commitment, hard work and leadership - all the attributes of a positive role model fostering a healthy work environment,” Silverton said in a speech before the presentation. “(Constable Kokas) continues to drive service excellence and has demonstrated this through his professional development and expertise in all types of criminal investigation.”
Silverton said Kokas is a valued member of the OPP and serves as a coach officer, intoxilyzer technician and drug recognition officer.
“(Constable Kokas) is a dedicated officer who is always ready to lend a hand and assist fellow officers, recruits and junior members,” said Silverton. “He has taken a leadership role in encouraging and mentoring others. He is very knowledgeable in criminal and provincial offenses and he continuously updates his knowledge and seeks new opportunities to learn.”
Silverton said Kokas is an active member of the local community when he is not on duty.
“(Constable Kokas) has fully embraced the community and on his days off can be found in one of the Grey Highlands arenas or soccer fields supporting his children and representing the community of OPP,” she said.
Kokas was joined by his family and fellow officers for the special award ceremony and said he was honoured to receive the award and thanked his family and fellow officers for their support.
“There is a team backing you up all the way. This appreciation goes a long way,” he said. “We’ve been in Grey Highlands for over 12 years now. We genuinely love to be here. We’ll be here for the rest of our careers and raise our family. It is an honour to receive this award. Thank you very much.”
