Chief Brad Neduzak of the Morden Police Service has received a memorable accolade, and it couldn’t have happened at a more fitting moment.
The police chief has been nominated for a King Charles III Coronation Medal, an honour that coincides with the year he is celebrating a multi-decade milestone.
"I've been in Morden for 40 years. I started back in 1985 as a constable,” he says. “It's been an amazing career.”
'My expectation was to ... move on to a bigger centre’
The King Charles III Coronation Medal not only commemorates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III but also strives to recognize special Canadians who have contributed to their communities in significant ways.
Chief Neduzak certainly fits the bill. He has been impacting the community through his work with Morden Police Service since it was a force of only six officers.

Since those humble beginnings, the service has grown, and Chief Neduzak has been at the helm for 25 years of its development.
It’s a position that, at one time, the chief never would have expected.
“We did a great job as a police service, but there wasn't much room for advancement or [advanced] training opportunities, so like a lot of the officers that came into Morden [back in the] day, my expectation was to receive training, get a little experience, and move on to the bigger center, so to speak,” he says.
“After a few years, I was fortunate to advance to a sergeant's position, and then I thought that Morden is such a great place to work and live.”
Chief Neduzak says that following more time with the service, in 2000, he was offered the position of chief, which he has held ever since.
Being a part of growth
In Chief Neduzak’s view, being in the position of chief is and was an opportunity to be a part of developing and advancing the service through various means — including training opportunities, equipment, and specialized programs.
“I was very fortunate to be to be part of that, and oversee it and help develop it,” he says. “I certainly didn't do it on my own. I have a lot of good people around me with very enthusiastic and determined individuals that help develop these programs.”

The police chief says that the advancements in Morden’s Police Service have resulted in better working conditions for officers and a safer community.
Chief Neduzak says that he is “so proud” to be a part of what makes Morden a great city, and he’s optimistic about its future.
“[There are] people alongside me that are very dedicated to their work and believe in what they're doing,” he says. “I know that it will continue to advance and move forward with the people that we have there.”
The honour of the medal
When it comes to the medal, Chief Neduzak’s nomination was submitted by Morden-Winkler MLA Carrie Hiebert.
Related stories:
- Rosemary Siemens receives Centennial Medal from University of Miami School of Music
- Mordenite receives two historic honours 72 years apart: ‘It’s the icing on the cake’
He says that when he was granted the medal, she was “excited to make the phone call.”
“I appreciate her efforts in doing that,” he says.
For the police chief, it was a pleasant surprise.
“You certainly don't do this work or any work for recognition. You have to love your job and love coming to work each and every day and know you’re making a difference in what you’re doing,” he says.

“But receiving word that I was nominated and receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal was a huge honour. You don't expect that, but it's very much appreciated that somebody recognizes the work and the time and the effort that you put into your work.”
Chief Neduzak will receive his medal at a special ceremony on April 22nd at the Morden Legion.
With files from Jayme Giesbrecht