North Bay Police Constable Mitch Thomas has been recognized by the Nipissing chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Every year the organization recognizes the police officer who makes the most impaired driving arrests.

Thomas made six impaired arrests in 2017.

He says receiving the award is nice, but there’s a bigger issue here.

“It’s still surprising that people get into a vehicle and drive after they’ve had a couple. It is nice to get them off the road and not so much about the accolades,” Thomas says.

The president of the MADD Nipissing chapter Erin Celebre says officers like Constable Thomas are heroes.

“Every time an impaired driver is stopped not just one but multiple lives are saved. Because it’s not just that impaired driver who is putting him or herself at risk it’s every single pedestrian and driver that is crossing their path,” she says.