ST. LOUIS, MO — Ontario’s reputation for having some of the most stringently enforced commercial vehicle regulations in North American lived up to a test last week, as one of its inspectors took home top honors in a contest.

Steve McPherson, an Ontario Ministry of Transportation truck inspector, won the North American Standard Level I Inspection competition last week during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) North American Inspectors Championship (NAIC).

Fifth other roadside inspectors, representing jurisdictions across North America, gathered in St. Louis for the annual event.

McPherson was also on a team of a total of eight inspectors that included representatives from various U.S. states, which won the top team award.

Other Canadians also did well in the contest, including Mike Watts of the Alberta Justice and Solicitor General’s office. He received the third place award in the North American Standard Level V Passenger Vehicle (Motorcoach) Inspection competition.

Darren Kennedy, of the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, took home the award for the Canadian with the most points during NAIC.

Each year, CVSA recognizes the best of the best by inviting member jurisdictions throughout North America to participate in NAIC, the only event dedicated to recognizing and awarding commercial vehicle inspector excellence.

The Jimmy K. Ammons Grand Champion Award is the highest NAIC honor for roadside inspectors. This year, the Grand Champion Award was awarded to J.D. Berrong with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for his combined performances in six competition elements.

The John Youngblood Award of Excellence is a special award contestants bestow on a fellow NAIC inspector who exemplifies the high standards and unwavering dedication to the profession. This year, NAIC contestants voted to present the John Youngblood Award to Brad Mitchell with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

The following awards were presented during this year’s NAIC:

• High Points: United States 
J.D. Berrong, North Carolina State Highway Patrol
• High Points: Canada 
Darren Kennedy, British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
• North American Standard Level I Inspection:
First Place – Steve McPherson, Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Second place – Andrew Stapleton, South Dakota Highway Patrol
Third Place – Carlos Rojas, Alaska Department of Public Safety
• North American Standard Hazardous Materials/Transportation of Dangerous Goods and Cargo Tank/Bulk Packagings Inspection:
First Place – Reagan Droddy, Texas Department of Public Safety
Second Place – Nicolas Wright, Kansas Highway Patrol
Third Place – Charles Shaver, Tennessee Highway Patrol
• North American Standard Level V Passenger Vehicle (Motorcoach) Inspection:
First Place – Eric McGuire, Florida Highway Patrol
Second Place – James Hamrick, Arkansas Highway Police
Third Place – Mike Watts, Alberta Justice & Solicitor General
• Team Award – Orange Team:
Jason Harris, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Daniel Voelker, Arizona Department of Public Safety
Rhonda Wood, Kentucky State Police
Mike Miller, New Jersey State Police
J.D. Berrong, North Carolina State Highway Patrol
Steve McPherson, Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Charles Shaver, Tennessee Highway Patrol
Scott Parsons, Virginia State Police

“NAIC contestants are not only tested in the competition, they also learn throughout the week about the latest CMV safety trends, technologies, standards and inspection procedures,” said CVSA President Maj. Bill Reese of the Idaho State Police. “The North American Inspectors Championship tests and educates inspectors, providing a well-rounded educational opportunity along with the healthy competitive spirit that has guided and made this competition successful and a goal for top aspiring inspectors for the past 23 years.”

The North American Inspectors Championship was created to recognize inspectors and officers – the backbone of the commercial vehicle safety program in North America – and to promote uniformity of inspections through education, according to CVSA.

Follow the link to Photobucket to see pictures of the event.