Department of Justice Canada
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Winners and Nominees


2001 Award Winners
Nominees for 2001 Award
List of Winners
Video of Award Winners and Runners-up for 2001
Transcript of Video of Award Winners and Runners-up for 2001
(Information on Video Streaming Technology)

2001 Award Winners

The Department of Justice, in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, is pleased to present this year's winner, runners-up and nominees for the Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award. The Award recognizes the efforts of police officers who undertake their work in a manner that reflects, promotes and is consistent with the spirit and goals of the government's initiative to renew youth justice in Canada. This initiative is based on three key directions:

  • To prevent crime by addressing the circumstances underlying a young person's offending behaviour;
  • To rehabilitate young persons who commmit offences and reintegrate them into society; and
  • To ensure that a young person is subject to meaningful consequences for his or her offence

in order to promote the long-term protection of the public.

In the second year of the award, thirty-three nominations were received from police services, community groups, schools, and individuals across Canada. This year's receipients are as follows:

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Winner

Constable Max Morin
RCMP, Ahousaht Satellite Detachment

Certificates of Distinction

Sergeant Dave Dort
RCMP, Grand Falls/Windsor District

Constable John T. Kennedy
RCMP, Stellarton District

Honourable Mentions

Sergeant Wade Blake
RCMP, Happy Valley-Goose Bay District

Detective/Constable Grant Hamilton
victoria Police Service

Constable Randy Huisman
Saskatoon Police Service
Constable Tim Korchinski
Saskatoon Police Service
Constable Grant Obst
Saskatoon Police Service

This year's winner, Constable Max Morin, as well as runners-up, were all present at the Opening Ceremonies of the CACP Conference to receive their award from Mr. Maloney.
This year's winner and runners-up
Back row left to right: Constable Randy Huisman; Constable Grant Obst; Constable Tim Korchinski; Detective/Constable Grant Hamilton
Front row left to right: Sergeant Wade Blake; Constable John Kennedy; Mr. John Maloney; Ms. Catherine Latimer; Constable Max Morin; and Sergeant Dave Dort


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Nominees for 2001 Award
(by jurisdiction of police service in alphabetical order)

Nominees

Sergeants George Couchie and Paul Trivett
Anishinak Police Service & O.P.P. Georgina Island First Nation Police

Constable Jocelyn Ouellette
Bathurst Police Service

Constable Marc LeBreux
Canadian National Police

Constable Gary Clow
Charlottetown City Police

Chief John Kopinak
Chatham-Kent Police Service

Constable Traci Smith
Halton Regional Police Service

Constable Craig Leishman
Hamilton Police Services

Constable Roch Gilbert
Jonquiere Police Service

The Summer Soccer School
New Westminster Police Service

Constables Chris Bowser, Davinoar Dalep and James Hull
Oak Bay Police Department

Louise Logue
Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Service

Inspector D. McDonald and Detective/Sergeant P. Thorne
Peel Regional Police Service

Constable Gary Takacs
Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service

Constable Max Morin (Winner)
RCMP, Ahousaht Satellite Detachment

Sergeant Gerry MacDonald
RCMP, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Constable Joe Taplin
RCMP, Cole Harbour Detachment

Sergeant Dave Dort (Certificate of Distinction)
RCMP, Grant Falls/Windsor District

Corporal Peter Puszka and Constable Carol McKinley
RCMP, Grand Prairie Detachment

Sergeant Wade Blake (Honourable Mention)
RCMP, Happy Valley-Goose Bay District

Constable Julie-Anne Lanctot
RCMP, Prince George Community Policing Unit

Sergeant Charles Wood, Constables Chris Williams, Jason Kerr and Chris Swain
RCMP, Stanley Mission First Nations Policing Unit

Constable John T. Kennedy (Certificate of Distinction)
RCMP, Stellarton District

Constables Al Vance and Jim Pratt
Regina Police Service

Constables Randy Huisman, Tim Korchinski, and Grant Obst (Honourable Mention)
Saskatoon Police Service

Constable Craig Nyirfa
Saskatoon Police Service

Commander Pierre Caumartin, Officers Michel Coutu and Gilles Sanschagrin, and Jacques Quintal, Educator
Service de la police de la Communauté Urbaine de Montréal

Sergeants Michel Milton and Richard Rondou and Officers Andre Belleau and Nancy Wiseman
Service de la police de la Communauté Urbaine de Montréal

Officer Alain Richer
Service de la police de la Communauté Urbaine de Montréal

Officer Martine Millette
Service de la police de la Communauté Urbaine de Montréal

Taber Police Service

Sergeant Andy Hay
Thunder Bay Police Service

Sergeant Ken Frail
Vancouver Police Service

Detective/Constable Grant Hamilton (Honourable Mention )
Victoria Police Service

Sergeants George Couchie and Sergeant Paul Trivett
Ontario Provincial Police Georgina Island First Nation Police Service

Sergeant George Couchie of the Anishinabek Police Service, Nipissing Detachment, is determined that local First Nations youth will never forget the important role their culture and heritage play in their daily lives.  And Sergeant Paul Trivett of the Ontario Provincial Police's Georgina Island First Nation Police Service can be counted on to lend him a helping hand.

For four years now, Sergeant Couchie has been operating the "Walking the Path" program, ably assisted by Sergeant Trivett who has designed many of its training features.  Incorporated in the school curriculum, it is aimed at restoring pride in First Nations culture and heritage and in building self-esteem and confidence.

In addition to lectures on First Nations' history, traditions, beliefs and culture, the program includes lessons on youth empowerment strategies and respect for others in the community and is a way for the officers to assist young people.  Many of the young people return to deliver the "Walking the Path" program to other youths.  

Contact person:

Sergeant George Couchie
705-472-0271

Sergeant Paul Trivett
705-437-2880

Constable Jocelyn Ouellette
Bathurst City Police

Constable Jocelyn (Josh) Ouellette is well known for his dedication to his community and his work with youth.  One of his major achievements is the Bathurst Youth Centre.  The Bathurst Youth Centre is a permanent facility for young people that provides a broad range of support services to youth aged 12-17 years.  Among other things, the centre works with youth to develop alternatives to the courts as responses to problem behaviour.  

As a founding organizer, Constable Ouellette worked for more than five years to recruit community partners, train volunteers, gain government support and spearhead fundraising efforts that brought in close to $1 million, to make the centre a reality.     

Since the Bathurst Youth Centre opened in 1998, youth offences declined by 27% and youth vandalism is practically non-existent. 

Contact person:

Constable Josh Ouellette
506-548-0471

Constable Marc LeBreux
Canadian National Police

For more than a decade, disadvantaged children in Greater Montreal have had an ally in the Canadian National Police which has taken an interest beyond the call of duty in both their safety and their welfare.

Constable Marc LeBreux has been the driving force in getting the message of railway safety out to children who might have been tempted to treat dangerous railway yards as a type of playground.  His ability to communicate with children in the many schools he has visited and in organizing safety programs on site has undoubtedly helped prevent tragic accidents.

His latest effort in promoting railway safety was a drawing contest.  The winners were treated to a Montreal Canadiens hockey game at the Molson Centre.  Combined with all his other efforts on behalf of disadvantaged children, Constable LeBreux deserves all the accolades he has received over the years, such as the CN President's Award for exceptional services to the community.   

Contact person:

Constable Marc LeBreux
514-399-0278

Constable Gary Clow
Charlottetown City Police

This year 13 disadvantaged young people from Charlottetown found themselves in the local police station!  What dastardly deeds had they committed?  Not even anything as minor as jaywalking.  They were there as the invited guests of Constable Gary Clow.

The 13 were chosen by the city's Big Brothers and Big Sisters chapter to take part in the police service's Kids 'N' Kops program, run by Constable Clow.  The Kids 'N' Kops program is designed to help young people, aged 9-14 years, at risk of being in conflict with the law.  Among many things, it shows them that the police would much rather see them become law-abiding citizens than arrest them for breaking the law.

Young people selected for the program spend five days in an instructive and fun environment.  Constable Clow and other police officers "tell it like it is".  Several of the lectures paint a vivid picture of the consequences associated with, for example, using drugs.  But the overall approach is to stress positive decision-making among young people.

Contact person:

Constable Gary Clow
902-629-4065

Chief John Kopinak
Chatham-Kent Police Service

Following the death of a 10-year old boy in Chatham in 1998, Chief John Kopinak decided to provide his officers with an opportunity to enhance their skills in profiling and interviewing young people.

With this in mind, he organized a Symposium on Profiling and Interviewing of Young People in August 2000.  This Symposium allowed police to examine a topic that until then had been missing in their training -- namely, how police question children suspected of a crime.  And to prevent problems before they start, it looked at how police and other professionals can develop a profile of those kids most likely to commit crimes.

As a result of the Symposium, a community-based program was launched in the region to help young people avoid taking part in anti-social activities.

The Chief's work has had an impact on other police services.  For example, a 17-minute video on interviewing children was produced by the Ontario Police Video Training Alliance and distributed to 74 police services.  This video has been seen by thousands of front-line officers.  Plans are under way for the development of a course on interviewing young people to be used in Police Training Centres.

Contact person:

Chief John Kopinak
519-436-6603

Constable Traci Smith
Halton Regional Police Service

As a member of the Halton Youth Justice Program, Constable Traci Smith brings many attributes to her job.  Not the least of which is the ability to motivate young people.

Last fall, she and Susan Moraes, Halton Regional Service Social worker, met twice a week with 13 young offenders who had committed minor crimes.  All had agreed to take part in the program, and by so doing, they would not have to go to court.  Instead they would participate in a rehabilitation process that would result in them providing some needed public service.  They would also learn that there were consequences for their actions.

Under the guidance of Constable Smith and Ms. Moraes, the group decided to support the city of Burlington's R.I.D. E. (Reduced Impaired Driving Everywhere) program.  They canvassed local businesses and raised $1,000 in contributions, which were used to support the R.I.D.E. program.  The young people took justifiable pride in the fact their actions had benefited their community.  They also took steps towards becoming good citizens.  None of the 13 will forget the guidance and support they received from Constable Smith and Ms. Moraes in turning their lives around.  

Contact person:

Constable Traci Smith
905-825-4777

Constable Craig Leishman
Hamilton Police Services

In the east-end of Hamilton, just about every youngster is known by his or her first name by a gregarious beat cop.  Constable Craig Leishman has developed a strong web of support in the community for youth at risk.  He knows where community resources are and serves as a link between youth and community service professionals.

While Constable Leishman is truly a youth advocate, he is no pushover for a sob story.  He listens to what the kids have to say but he won't let them use their environment as an excuse for bad behaviour.  He lets them know that many others from similar backgrounds have worked hard to become productive and law-abiding citizens.  And he pulls no punches when he tells them what the consequences of their actions will be if they get hooked on drugs or join teen gangs.  But at the same time, they know they can go to him if they have a problem.  And he can direct them to community facilities where they can get help with their problems.

Contact person:

Constable Craig Leishman
905-546-2929

Constable Roch Gilbert
Service de Police de Jonquière

Over the past eight years, Constable Roch Gilbert has developed a community-based approach to youth justice policing which has earned him the trust, respect and affection of young people, parents and other members of the community. 

This approach, which emphasizes the key role of families, has proved highly successful in empowering parents and helping young people turn their lives around. 

One part of his strategy involves just being there for local youth.  For example, he speaks to schools and other groups about drug use, encourages bicycle safety campaigns and meets young people where they gather, in parks and cafés.

Another part involves finding non-judicial ways of dealing with youth crime.  For example, he relies heavily on mediation and other restorative justice approaches, which encourage the participation of everyone involved -- victims, young offenders and their parents.  Most importantly, he encourages everyone to work together as partners for the benefit of the whole community. 

Contact person:

Constable Roch Gilbert
418-546-2015

New Westminster Police Service
The Summer Soccer School

When it comes to running its Summer Soccer School, the New Westminster Police Service has some pretty impressive athletic talent to draw on.  For example, Inspector Frank Ciaccia was a member of the Canadian Olympic and World Cup Teams and played professionally in the North American Soccer League.  Not surprisingly, he serves as a major role model for youth in this community policing initiative that has been in operation since 1981.

Working closely with other city departments, local businesses and community groups, professional teams and athletes, this community-based outreach is held in the peak summer season, when students are most idle.  It has broad appeal and is designed to accommodate as many children as possible.

The program's aim is simple -- to provide a recreational program that also teaches kids about public and personal safety issues.

By all measures, it has been a resounding success as seen by the large number of community accolades and awards to its credit. 

Contact person:

Inspector Frank Ciaccia
604-525-5411

Constables Chris Bowser, Davinoar Dalep, James Hull
Oak Bay Police Department

In January 2000, these three officers conducted a group Restorative Justice Forum.  The forum was unique in that it was the largest documented forum ever in British Columbia, with a total of 45 participants.  The officers wanted to successfully deal with an epidemic of graffiti/tagging in the Oak Bay and greater Victoria area that had begun in 1998.

During a two-year investigation, the officers developed a rapport with youth in the graffiti culture.  They learned how to identify individual "tags" and were able to identify suspected artists.  

The officers then brought together community officials and graffiti victims with the youth and their families in a number of small conferences to explore appropriate solutions outside the formal criminal justice process.  These efforts resulted in a final Restorative Justice Forum that produced solutions acceptable to those involved as well as the community at large.  As a result of this successful experience, the restorative justice approach was adopted as police policy in Oak Bay.   

Contact person:

Constables Bowser, Dalep and Hull
250-592-9988

Louise Logue
Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Service

An initiative taken last year by a civilian member of the Ottawa Police Service is already helping children who were at risk of getting into trouble with the law.

Louise Logue, the service's Youth Intervention Co-ordinator, realized many vulnerable children were falling between the cracks because no service was in place to deal with their problems.  To address this need, she initiated discussions with Ottawa's Crossroads Children's Centre.  The centre treats children who have mental health problems.  Ms. Logue believed the two organizations could pool their services to help the children. 

The centre treats children referred to them by the police by working with the children to help them see the consequences of antisocial or criminal behaviour.  To date, about 40 children have received help.  Without the intervention of Ms. Logue, most of them would still be on a list waiting for help.

Contact person:

Louise Logue
613-236-1222 Ext. 5355

Inspector D. McDonald and Detective/Sergeant P. Thorne
Peel Regional Police

For many schools, suspension represents an effective way of addressing the problem behaviour of students.  However, once barred from school, some students get into even more trouble as their misbehaviour escalates and extends into the community.  And many fall behind in their studies' which only compounds their difficulties.

To address these issues, Inspector McDonald and Detective/Sergeant Thorne worked closely with the Peel Board of Education to create "The Eagle Project" which helps suspended students continue their studies while child and youth workers and other professionals help them and their parents address the root causes of their behaviour.

The Eagle Project involves the whole community, including police, the school system, family services, and parks and recreation and requires a strong commitment from both families and youth.  For example, parents must agree to get involved in the process before a student can be admitted to the program.  And young people must sign a contract in which they agree to achieve certain goals and abide by the rules of the program.

The Project takes place at a location separate from their school where the young people continue their lessons and receive the help they need to successfully return to their school.

Contact person:

Inspector D. McDonald
905-453-3311 Ext. 7150

Constable Gary Takacs
Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service

For the past three years, Constable Gary Takacs has been the driving force behind a community-based police service program to stamp out schoolyard bullying.  In his view, efforts to prevent bullying cannot begin too soon.  That reasoning is central to the Bullies Have an Effect on Everyone (BEE) program that Constable Takacs co-ordinates in the Peterborough area.  The title of the program emphasizes that everyone, not just the victim, is affected by the actions of a bully.

The BEE program provides a wide range of information on bullying behaviour to youth, parents, teachers and the general public.  It ensures that there is support for victims of bullying and those doing the bullying.  It encourages education officials to develop a consistent framework for dealing with bullying.

Contact person:

Constable Gary Takacs
705-876-1122

Constable Max Morin
RCMP, Ahousaht Satellite Detachment

Biography of Constable Max Morin.

Sergeant Gerry MacDonald
RCMP, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Because the formal justice system sometimes fails to adequately address youth crime, the RCMP began work in 1997 on the introduction of a restorative justice system in PEI.

A key element involved Sergeant Gerry MacDonald's work in promoting Community Justice Forums as an alternative to the court system to help young offenders while protecting the community and giving victims a chance to tell how crime has hurt them.

Working closely in partnership with the Provincial Government, Sergeant MacDonald developed policies and procedures as well as a list of offences to be addressed by these forums.  As well, he held workshops to explain how the system works and to train participants in the program.

He also developed pilot projects in conjunction with the Island's schools.  Here the Community Justice Forums got high marks from media and community representatives when the program successfully dealt with a bomb scare at a local school.

Since the beginning of the program, 54 criminal cases involving 83 youths have been handled by Community Justice Forums.  In each case, victims, offenders, and supporters reported that their participation in the process totally met their needs as they sought to right the harm that had occurred.

Contact person:

Sergeant Gerry MacDonald
902-566-7149

Constable Joe Taplin
RCMP, Cole Harbour Detachment

RCMP Constable Joe Taplin is an imposing figure when he walks into a Grade Six Cole Harbour classroom.  The former athlete, and current assistant football coach with St. Francis Xavier University football team, immediately gains the confidence of his "students".

When he tells them to say no to drugs, they listen.  And he is equally attentive to their questions about drugs and drug abuse.  As co-ordinator of the detachment's D.A.R.E. Program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), Constable Taplin stresses the importance of team play in developing strategies to discourage children from using drugs.

Constable Taplin is also heavily involved in helping youth who have already gotten into trouble with the law.  Through encouraging them to take part in restorative justice programs, he gives them a chance to make amends for their actions, avoid a court appearance, and face and hear from the victims of their offence.

Contact person:

Constable Joe Taplin
902-426-8130

Sergeant Dave Dort
RCMP, Grand Falls/Windsor District

Biography of Sergeant Dave Dort.

Corporal Peter Puszka and Constable Carol McKinley
RCMP, Grand Prairie Detachment

In 1998, Corporal Peter Puszka initiated Camp Little Buffalo, a partnership project to provide "at risk" youth, aged 11-13, with a recreational setting to encourage positive interaction with police officers.  Working with three community agencies, he brought together 20 youth and some fellow RCMP officers for a five-day period.  Activities included team building, assertiveness training, communication skills, positive decision-making, goal setting and development of problem-solving skills.

In 1999, with Corporal Puszka's guidance, Constable Carol McKinley took over the project and a total of 60 youth have now participated in Camp Little Buffalo.  Constable McKinley has also assisted another RCMP detachment to create its own camp.

In 2000, Constable McKinley and the project team introduced a Junior Mentor Program to bring back as peer mentors, past campers who demonstrated leadership qualities.  The Camp Little Buffalo project will be evaluated and the evaluation shared among those in the policing, justice and research communities.

Contact person:

Corporal Peter Puszka or Constable McKinley
780-538-5701

Sergeant Wade Blake
RCMP, Happy Valley-Goose Bay District

Biography of Sergeant Wade Blake.

Constable Julie-Anne Lanctot
RCMP, Prince George Community Policing Unit

As part of her work in the area of community policing, Constable Lanctot spearheaded the introduction of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program in the Prince George, British Columbia area.  This program seeks to inform children, youth and sex trade workers of the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse and the lifestyle which often accompanies it.

Constable Lanctot brought the DARE program to a great number of schools in the Prince George area.  While her initial focus involved reaching out to young people in the school system, she quickly extended the program to young people in the Prince George Youth Correctional Centre, where it has proved highly successful.  It is believed that this is the first time that the DARE program has been used in a correctional facility.

To ensure the success of the program, Constable Lanctot works closely with community groups and professionals active in education, youth justice and the fight against the sexual exploitation of young people.  In addition to providing information on drug and alcohol abuse to young people, she also takes a proactive approach designed to address problems before they start.  This means getting to know youth at risk and finding out the root causes of their behaviour.

Most recently, she has moved her campaign to the Raves and club dances, which have become popular in the area.  Constable Lanctot makes a concerted effort to attend these events in order to be a positive influence and identify youth in need of assistance

Contact person:

Constable Julie-Anne Lanctot
250-561-3369

Sergeant Charles Wood, Constables Chris Williams, Jason Kerr, and Chris Swain
RCMP, Stanley Mission First Nations Policing Unit

Recognizing that young people need to get involved in something positive if they are to stay out of trouble, Sergeant Wood and his fellow officers started the Stanley Mission First Nations Cadet Corps.  They also help out at the local Drop-in Centre and participate in the "Kids vs. Cops" program where teens have the chance to get to know these officers better by playing pool with them.  And they frequently speak at local schools on topics such as bike and ice safety and youth and the law.

To address some of the challenges facing young people who are already in trouble with the law, Sergeant Wood started a Restorative Justice program to give victims the chance to tell how crime has hurt them and to help young people accept responsibility for their actions.  This program, which keeps youth out of the formal court system, has proven highly successful in reducing repeat offences.

Perhaps most importantly, these officers just make themselves visible in the community and available to local young people.  For example, they attend most community events -such as volleyball tournaments and fishing derbies -- and they recently pitched in at a local effort aimed at cleaning up the town.  This people-friendly approach has proven highly successful, as shown by a steady decline in arrests.

Contact person:

Sergeant Charles Wood
306-635-2390

Constable John T. Kennedy
RCMP, Stellarton District

Biography of Constable John Kennedy.

Constables Al Vance and Jim Pratt
Regina Police Service

In March of 2001, Constables Vance and Pratt organized and participated in a winter cultural camp for sixteen Aboriginal youth -- fifteen of whom were in the youth criminal justice system and one was considered "at risk".  While this marked the fourth consecutive year for this popular youth justice project, it was the first year the camp was held in the winter and the first camp for the Nekaneet First Nation. 

The camp provided a natural environment that focused on the attributes of its participants and fostered positive interaction among Aboriginal youth, their elders and police.  The youth were exposed to traditional teachings and participated in talking and healing circles.  Restorative justice principles were also discussed and implemented. 

Parents were offered the opportunity to assist with ongoing rehabilitation and reintegration of the youth and several followed up with the participating officers to do that.  In addition, several of the youth approached the elders and asked to return to Nekaneet once they had completed their sentence.  The camp concluded with a community feast and round dance to honour all the youths for their outstanding achievement and leadership during their time at the camp.

Contact person:

Constables Vance and Pratt
306-777-6500

Constables Randy Huisman, Tim Korchinski and Grant Obst
Saskatoon Police Service

Biography of Constables Huisman, Korchinski and Obst .

Constable Craig Nyirfa
Saskatoon Police Service

Incorporating many of the features of the Aboriginal value system, Constable Craig Nyirfa has developed an effective follow-up restorative justice program.

Last year working with members of the Saskatoon Tribal Council, he devised the Peacekeepers program for "graduates" of the Youth Circles restorative justice program.  Both programs help disadvantaged youth benefit from a value system that emphasizes respect for others.  By participating in the programs, youth who have committed minor crimes avoid appearing in court. 

The Youth Circles program, which relies on conferencing sessions, is a more formal approach to restorative justice.  By contrast, the Peacekeepers program brings together many people, including parents, elders and the police, to talk about the issues that have gotten the young people in trouble.  But participants do much more than just talk.  All, including parents, elders and the police, become involved in a wide range of activities that reinforce the Aboriginal value system.  By instilling pride in their culture and heritage, the program is helping to reduce youth crime among some of Canada's most disadvantaged young people.   

Contact person:

Constable Craig Nyirfa
306-975-8363

Commander Pierre Caumartin, Officers Michel Coutu and Gilles Sanschagrin, and Jacques Quintal, Educator,
Montreal Urban Community Police Service

These four nominees provide an educational program for youth that has expanded from a single neighbourhood project in 1998 to a program that is now available to schools throughout the Montreal region. 

The program is both instructive and preventative.  It is based on a "Commanding Officer’s Review", a booklet and questionnaire designed to increase a young person's awareness of the youth justice system and how young people can come into conflict with the law.  The Review covers such things as misunderstanding of the law; myths communicated by young people; negative role models (e.g. adults who drive through a red light); and contradictory messages from different social circles. 

This partnership between the police and the educational community is aimed at youth under 12.  This year it will reach an estimated 52,000 children.

Contact person:

Commander Pierre Caumartin
514-280-0346

Sergeants Michel Milton and Richard Rondou and Officers Andre Belleau and Nancy Wiseman
Montreal Urban Community Police Service

In April 2000, Officer Andre Belleau initiated a project for a new "marketing" tool to meet the need expressed by the public who wanted to be able to recognize police on the street as well as support crime prevention among younger students in Montreal North.

The marketing tool is a small cardboard model of a police vehicle that students assemble during or following a classroom visit by a community police officer.  It features the colours of the Police Service of the Montreal Urban Community and has the logo, "Je me conduis bien" (I'm driving/behaving well).  The model police vehicle is used to reinforce messages that officers deliver to schools on safety, crime prevention, civic responsibility and so on.    

Partnership funding for 5000 models for an initial neighbourhood project was provided by two service clubs and local caisses populaires.  The neighbourhood project has since been expanded to the entire Montreal Urban Community and 50,000 models are being produced for distribution in 2001.

Contact person:

Andre Belleau
514-280-0139

Officer Alain Richer
Montreal Urban Community Police Service

As the community police service representative, Officer Alain Richer worked closely with local partners to create a project called The Link -- Living Environment for Young People (Milieu de vie pour les jeunes Le Lien).  It offers youth a gathering place other than the streets and public places in the Rosemont area of Montreal.  The project involves the Mont-Rose Optimist Club (le Club Optimiste Rose-Mont) as a major funding partner. 

Housed in a neighbourhood centre, the Link opened in January 2001 and is open every Friday night.  Up to 20 youth aged 12-17 visit each week.  Along with Officer Richer, two university students also work with young people to encourage self-respect and community responsibility.

Contact person:

Alain Richer
514-280-0443

Officer Martine Millette
Montreal Urban Community Police Service

Through her personal initiative, Officer Millette introduced two successful safety and prevention programs to schools in the Ville LaSalle community of Montreal. 

At the elementary level, she introduced the Elmer the Safety Elephant program to explain traffic rules and encourage safe travel at two neighbourhood schools.  Since the program was set up, none of the children in these schools has been involved in a road accident. 

At the secondary level, Officer Millette partnered with a school social worker to organize a Date Rape Program to provide teenagers with information on sexual assault and sexual exploitation.  As part of the Date Rape Program, she has successfully introduced the use of alternatives to the formal justice process to resolve individual cases involving youth.

Contact person:

Officer Martine Millette
514-280-0414

Taber Police Service
Taber, Alberta

The tragic shooting death of a Taber high school student in 1999 caused the small local police service to set itself on a course of action that would see it involved with virtually every young person in the community.

Following the shooting, the police service reached out to the community for crime prevention suggestions.  The community wanted to see the service involved in a wide range of crime prevention programs.  Many are now well established and have already proven their value.  In addition, the service makes every effort to contact youth during its daily operations.  One example of this is the Adopt a School Program which sees every officer visiting a school regularly.

All officers are also involved with youth in their off duty hours.  Whether it's coaching a football team or raising funds for a youth centre, they gladly take on the added task.  The Taber Police Service has attempted to involve youth and the community as much as possible in developing solutions to problems as they arise.  This approach allows a youth to accept a more responsible role and improve their image in the community as well as providing alternatives when a youth offends.

Contact person:

Chief Terrance Dreaddy
403-223-8991

Sergeant Andy Hay
Thunder Bay Police Service

A seventeen-year police veteran, Sergeant Andy Hay implemented a restorative justice program that has brought a new approach to youth justice in the city of Thunder Bay.

On his own time, he researched the restorative approach to youth justice.  Based on his research and presentations, he won the support of the police administration as well as the local judiciary and Crown attorneys for a proposal to implement a diversion program for first time young offenders accused of less serious offences.  His proposal developed into a Community Restorative Justice program that has now been operating successfully for six years. 

During that time, Sergeant Hay has been responsible for the direction and growth of the program, including the training of other officers.  Between twenty and forty restorative justice conferences now take place in Thunder Bay annually. 

Contact person:

Sergeant Andy Hay
807-684-1327

Sergeant Ken Frail
Vancouver Police Department

A veteran member of the Vancouver Police Department, Sergeant (now Acting Inspector) Ken Frail had a personal interest in better understanding youth at risk.  He also saw a need to improve information-sharing among youth agencies in order to coordinate community responses to street crime, including the use of alternative measures in the new Youth Criminal Justice Act.

In early 2000, Sergeant Frail began work with criminology students from Simon Fraser University to gather statistics on youth at risk and to research appropriate (and legal) ways to share information with other agencies.

He then worked with a team of students from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and SFU to develop a new data base -- the Youth at Risk Data System (YARDS) -- for the shared use of youth service providers in the community.

Contact person:

Sergeant Ken Frail
604-717-3087

Detective/Constable Grant Hamilton
Victoria Police Service

Biography of Detective/Constable Grant Hamilton .