Despite her limited swimming skills, Nicole Hall put her life on the line in the summer of 2009 when she jumped into the water to assist a teenager who was in distress and who ultimately drowned while scuba diving in the Little River area. The Comox Valley RCMP constable received the Award for Valour at the E Division awards ceremony Thursday at the Westerly Hotel. "The constables put themselves at risk. I'm very proud of their effort under the circumstances," Comox Valley RCMP Insp. Tom Gray said. "Two of the members who attended have extensive swimming, lifesaving and diving abilities, but Nicole had very little swimming experience."Gray was awarded the Commanding Officer's Commendation & Insignia for the Crime Reduction Strategy, a partnership program with the University of the Fraser Valley and Simon Fraser University that took into account advice from academics."Basically we studied different ways of delivering police services," Gray said, noting the focus was to put prolific offenders "out of business as quickly as possible."Members receiving the 20 Year Long Service Medal included Insp. Lyle Gelinas, Cpls. Tori Cliffe, Gordon Hay, Kenneth Hees, David MacIsaac and Ron MacLellan, Sgt. Wesley Olsen and Consts. Derek Kryzanowski and Line West. Campbell River Const. Donna Kersey and retired Powell River Const. Ghislain Paquette received the 25 Year Bronze Clasp, Comox Valley Corp. Daniel Brennan received the 30 Year Silver Clasp and retired Sgt. Peter Attrell received the 35 Year Gold Clasp. "Police work is not just nine to five," E Division's acting Commanding Officer Craig Callens said on behalf of the recipients. "You have been coaches, friends, confidantes and more. I'm proud of the sacrifices you make." reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com