Abbotsford Police Department Deputy Chief Rick Lucy and Sgt. Mike Novakowski each received the Order of Merit from the Governor General in Ottawa on Wednesday.

The two officers received the national recognition for their respective commitments to public safety and community development.

Lucy, a 29-year veteran of the force, played a vital role in the development of a Municipal Integrated Emergency Response Team (MIERT) that saw four police agencies share resources and skills to enhance the safety of citizens in four municipalities.

He headed the establishment of the APD's property crime reduction unit and gang suppression unit.

Lucy also introduced intelligence-led policing to Abbotsford in 2009, which has enabled the APD to use data and statistics to tackle crime more effectively and resulted in a 26 per cent drop in the overall crime rate since that time.

A dedicated volunteer, Lucy is tremendously involved in the Abbotsford community.

The deputy chief is a director on the board of Special Olympics B.C., chair of the B.C. Law Enforcement Torch Run, a long-standing executive of the Abbotsford Youth Commission, and the 2010 winner of the Champion of Diversity Award.

Sgt. Mike Novakowski, a 22-year veteran, holds two master's degrees, including one in law, and provides legal training to officers working in Abbotsford and elsewhere, on a regular basis.

He created a publication, the In-Service: 10-8 newsletter, more than a decade ago to help law enforcement officers navigate the constantly evolving areas of case law and legal rulings.

Novakowski is best known in Abbotsford for his tireless work on a multitude of youth anti-gang initiatives that included poster, video, elementary and secondary school campaigns.

The APD's most recent youth initiative, Operation Lodestar, a 30-minute documentary, is also the result of his passion and efforts.