Commander Jesse Gilbert of the Battlefords RCMP Detachment and his wife Abigail stand among Rideau Hall's flora. He is now a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. (Submitted Photo/Jesse Gilbert)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

MOM

RCMP Commander Jesse Gilbert now a Member of the Order of Merit

Feb 16, 2024 | 3:02 PM

When Commander Inspector Jesse Gilbert of the Battlefords RCMP first learned he was nominated for a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces award, he wasn’t sure it was real.

“It was a little hard to believe that the Governor General’s office was calling me,” he said.

The award recognizes members at a local, regional or provincial level who have exhibited “exceptional service or performance of duty over an extended period.”

He said they originally sent an email – one he never received – and so they sent another while he was on the phone. That’s how he knew it wasn’t a prank.

He joined nearly 50 other service men and women in the Valentine’s Day ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa to receive the award from Governor General Mary Simon and he said it was the first time he’d ever been to the ornate building in his career.

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“I think even going there even for a visit would be overwhelming in the sense of grandeur of it all,” said Gilbert. “I was in awe of the entire thing.”

In a statement from North Battleford Mayor David Gillan, it wasn’t a surprise to the community the commander be named a recipient.

“Inspector Gilbert has been instrumental in a number of positive community safety and overall wellbeing initiatives in North Battleford, and his leadership has provided excellent guidance for those serving under his command in the province’s largest detachment,” he said via email to battlefordsNOW.

The medal Commander Inspector Jesse Gilbert received. (Submitted Photo/Abigail Gilbert)

“We look forward to honouring Inspector Gilbert at a future Council meeting to congratulate him on this momentous occasion and we thank him for his dedication and service to our community and its residents.”

The awards ceremony was broken up over two days with Gilbert in the first group. The experience of going through the ceremonial protocols and being sorted into the procession was a monumental one.

“My heart was in my throat a little bit,” he said.

The ceremony lasted an hour and was followed by a luncheon for the recipients and their guests, and the atmosphere was jovial.

“They offered tours of Rideau Hall so that was really nice,” Gilbert said, noting he and his wife Abigail went on a tour to the greenhouse. It was very special.”

As for his favourite part of the day? Simon’s opening remarks.

“In the speech, she recognized family members,” he said.

“She said, ‘Obviously people who were getting the awards have been dedicated to policing for a long time, but we often forget the pressure that that puts on your significant others, your children, your family’ so she wanted to call attention to those people,” Gilbert added.

“I really, really liked that.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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