For their service to the community, outstanding local Mounties have received awards of valour—the highest award in 小蓝视频 that officers can receive.
This spring, the provincial government's Police Honours Night honoured 241 law enforcement officers for their bravery and dedication, including Squamish's Const. Mark McMahon and Const. Hamza Khan.
The award of valour was given to 152 police officers who "purposely acted for the benefit of others, while knowingly placing themselves at substantial risk of death or serious injury," reads a
"These officers exhibited exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, to save or protect others from harm.”
The 小蓝视频 caught up with the very busy McMahon for a chat about his career and this award.
What follows is a version of that exchange lightly edited for length and clarity.
Q: When did you first want to become a police officer, and why?
A: I wanted to get into forensics before it became popular and cool, and I figured the best way to do that was to become a police officer. I studied biology with that in mind, and I wanted to help people. I also enjoy problem-solving and finding and working with information and clues, so I thought it would be great work. I did general duty, which is regular patrol, policing, but eventually got into forensics with the RCMP, which I did for a number of years. Eventually, though, I decided I wanted to come back to general duty policing. So I returned to working in Squamish.
Q: What can you tell us about the incident for which you are receiving this award? I understand there may be court considerations, so please feel free to share only what you can. The press release said it was for your “efforts during a high-risk arrest of multiple suspects involved in a brazen daytime shooting.” Can you add anything to that?
A: I can’t say a lot about the incident, as it is currently before the courts, but the award was in relation to my actions in Squamish following the shooting and double homicide in Whistler Village in the summer of 2022. I will say that the arrest, thankfully, went as I was hoping, and nobody, including myself, was hurt. I initially didn’t know if I was going home that night.
The result we got was just awesome work between Whistler and Squamish members and support staff. It was a crazy task, I'm sure, dealing with the scene and getting the information relayed down here. We were all on the lookout, but I knew my guys would be coming to help me when I needed it, without me having to ask, so that's huge—having people you can rely on. Also, our dispatcher was amazing. She had tons of information coming in from a bunch of people, and she had to get it all out to us. And then, when I was dealing with the situation, I couldn't always hear her, but I knew she could hear me, and that was a huge relief. She was kind of like a guardian angel or something. I couldn't see her, but I knew she was there looking out for me, and so was my crew. Huge credit to everyone involved, and a huge thanks too.
Q: How did you feel when you learned you were receiving the award?
A: When I learned I was receiving the award, I was obviously honoured and very happy. I don’t feel like I need it, but it is also nice to receive some recognition for the work that we, as in police officers, do from time to time. I know it is a significant award, so I also felt a bit strange. I know the work that police officers do daily often puts them in dangerous situations, and I kind of felt like I’m nobody special. I don’t know, it is hard to explain.
Q: What was the awards ceremony like? We understand it took place on Wednesday, April 23, at Government House—correct?
A: The award ceremony was great. I saw a couple of friends I had previously worked with, met new people and had a great meal in a beautiful location. They also read little blurbs about what each person received their award for, which was interesting and very impressive. There were definitely some very deserving people receiving awards.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about the award or your work in policing?
A: I work with an awesome bunch of people. Policing is great work, but can also be very difficult in many ways—physically, mentally and emotionally. When people do something as simple as saying “Hi,” waving or smiling, it can help make a rough day a little better.
Const. Khan was not available for an interview, but we extend our congratulations nonetheless.
