Certificate of Distinction

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Constable Grant Dokis
Sergeant Robert Thirkill
Greater Sudbury Police Service

Constable Grant Dokis and Sergeant Robert Thirkill were nominated for their work in developing an Aboriginal Youth Strategy in the Sudbury area.

The Aboriginal Youth Strategy focuses on two components. The first component is a youth referral program that draws upon community resources of particular relevance and meaning for Aboriginal youth. The second component involves a police mentoring program directed towards aboriginal youth who may wish to pursue a career in criminal justice.

The Aboriginal Youth Referral Program provides extra-judicial measures for first time Aboriginal offenders who have committed a non-violent crime. The aim of the program is to address a youth’s behavior in a positive way by offering an alternative to the court process and using culturally appropriate community programs that provide appropriate consequences and help change offending behavior.

The police mentoring component involved the creation of the Police MkWa Education Circle which provides opportunities for Aboriginal youth in the Sudbury area who are interested in a career in the criminal justice field. Developed with the help of numerous partners, the program involves a number of phases, ranging from mentoring between the youth and police officers, a special, accredited interdisciplinary course of study for Aboriginal students interested in criminal justice and summer work placements.

The strategy has resulted in profound shifts in attitudes for both the police and the aboriginal communities. Trust, respect and collaboration are emerging in ways previously not contemplated. Cst. Dokis and Cst. Thirkill have also been invited to present the strategy to the Ontario Police College and the presentation is now included as a component in the Basic Recruit Program. This has increased awareness and sensitivity to issues facing Aboriginal people and information on ways for police services to build long-term solutions to addressing the issues.

Contact:
Cst. Grant Dokis
Sgt. Robert Thirkill
(705) 675-9171

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