81 www.rnca.ca Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association Awards of Excellence On November 9th, 2015, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Constable Stephanie Pelley and her partner were dispatched to a call of a possible woman in distress in the area of Flatrock, Newfoundland and Labrador. Constable Pelley responded quickly by approaching the frigid water while her partner retrieved flotation devices from their patrol vehicle; however, she quickly realized that the strong waves and her duty belt would prevent her from reaching the woman who was moving further away from shore. Constable Pelley hastily returned to shore, where she was met by Constable Charley Torres who had overheard the call on his radio.With the distraught woman barely staying above water by clinging to a rock in the ocean, both Police Officers realized that time was limited and that they would have to remove their vests and duty belts and enter into the frigid ocean. While other officers on scene retrieved flotation devices and rope, Constables Pelley and Torres courageously tapped into their experienced swimming abilities and police training to reach the woman amidst the high waves and lack of available footing. As they realized that they would be unable to get the woman back to shore by themselves, they pinned her to a rock using their bodies until assistance was available. While waiting for help, their bodies were engulfed by the ocean’s water with each crash of waves against the rock. Constables Pelley and Torres were eventually able to get the woman safely back to shore through the help of other first responders, and she was taken to the hospital for the treatment of her injuries. This successful rescue and return of the woman to land is due largely to the quick and courageous actions of Constables Pelley and Torres. The waters of Newfoundland and Labrador in November are tumultuous and bitterly cold; this woman would have likely faced a different outcome that day had it not been for fearless response of these two officers. Their actions that day truly exemplified what it means to go above and beyond the call of duty. Though this was an undeniable act of bravery for the two officers, they remained humble amidst the awards and recognition for their rescue. During an interview with a local newspaper the day after the rescue, Constable Pelley noted that it was a rescue such as this that made her say “That’s what I signed up for.” In November 2015, Constables Pelley and Torres were awarded the 2016 Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association Awards of Excellence “Medal of Valor” for their bravery. Medal of Valor
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