OTTAWA -- Manitoba RCMP Constable Ken Walkden was recently given the Canadian Trucking Alliance Commercial Motor Vehicle Interdiction Officer of the Year award.

Walkden, of the RCMP Roving Traffic Unit, was recognized for outstanding work in detecting criminal activity utilizing commercial vehicles. This is the third time in a row that Walkden has been given this award.

“It is our privilege to work in conjunction with the law enforcement community in its efforts to fight crime on and around our highways," says Canadian Trucking Alliance CEO David Bradley.

Walkden consistently leads the national policing community in detecting criminals who target commercial vehicles, adds Sgt Rob Ruiters, National Pipeline/Convoy Program Manager. “Most notably he has seized millions worth of drugs, currency and other contraband being transported in commercial trucks across Canada. In addition to other types of criminality he has detected in commercial vehicles, he regularly instructs and shares his knowledge freely across the country with other police agencies/members.”

Candidates were subject to a rigorous review of their work by superior officers who made the final selection.

The CTA sponsored award is presented to a front line individual or individuals who have made the most significant contributions towards the furtherance of Canada’s National Pipeline/Convoy/Jetway program. The purpose of the Pipeline/Convoy/Jetway program is to detect criminality on the highways.

At the same awards ceremony, Totalline Transport was recognized with the 2007 National Pipeline/Convoy Partnership Award for the company’s instrumental work in promoting cooperation between police and the trucking industry in combating criminality utilizing commercial transport equipment.