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Winners and Nominees 2000 Award Winners 2000 Award WinnersThe 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:
in order to promote the long-term protection of the public. In the inaugural year of the award, forty-five nominations were submitted by police, community groups, schools and individuals across Canada. This year's recipients of the award are as follows: (Top of Page)Winners
Constable Willie Ducharme and Constable Rick Kosowan Certificates of Distinction Constable Ian Burke Honourable Mentions
Constable Richard Morris Special Mention
Constable Jacqueline George (Top of Page)
Nominees for 2000 Award
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| Contact person: | Sgt. Steve Colley Abbortsford Police Department 1-800- 898-6111 |
Constable Leon Gay
Constable Leon Gay implemented a "Bikes for Kids" program. This program is designed to supply bikes and helmets to children with limited financial resources, to help reduce the number of bike thefts, promote bike safety, and provide children 7-12 years old a bike. Over a three-month period, Cst. Gay solicited donations of bikes and volunteers to repair them.
The 31 children chosen for this program participated in a community clean up day and bike safety clinics organized by the police.
This was the first time that Alberta Beach Community and Alexis First Nation community worked together on a project. The two communities are planning to continue and expand this program. Organizers hope their "Bikes for Kids" program will have lasting repercussions beyond the bikes themselves. They see this as a start in integrating the two communities and they are committed to find other ways of breaking down the barriers of these two communities.
| Contact person: | Jean Kootenay 780-967-3975 |
Constables Ed Yeomans, Frank Farka, Leah Barber
These officers are part of the Calgary Police Service Youth Services Unit. They researched other models of restorative justice to develop a model that would work in Calgary. Their "Community Group Conferencing" project is for offenders under 12. It focuses on healing the victim, strengthening the community and allowing the offender to repair the damage he/she has caused.
Their program has been expanded into high schools and these officers have been responsible for training Calgary Police Service personnel to conduct conferencing.
| Contact person: | Staff Sgt Jim Fair 403-206-8385 |
Charles Bellefleur
Charles Bellefleur, a police officer with 21 years experience working in the Innu village of Ekuanitshit (Mingan), is a no-nonsense officer who doesn't follow a formal plan in his work with youth. Instead, he concentrates on what works—such as giving young people in trouble with the law a chance to show they can act in a responsible way. Often, this means working with adolescents on their own turf—e.g. at school or on the street—and showing them they can take control of their lives and determine their own destiny. At other times, it means acting as a calming influence during a crisis and following up afterwards to root out the underlying causes that led to the problem in the first place.
Mr, Bellefleur is also a member of the local multidisciplinary team that addresses social issues, plans addiction prevention activities and helps children at risk. And it's clear his efforts are paying off, for he recently helped two young residents—one of them a former resident of a group home—begin their training as police officers.
| Contact person: | Jeannine Bellefleur Directrice des Services Sociaux Mamit Innuat 418-962-7470 |
Constable Dan Williams
Biography of Constable Dan Williams.
Corporal Tom Woods
Corporal Tom Woods initiated the Rock Solid concept in the fall of 1997. Cpl Woods and the Rock Solid group began using local athletes and youthful police officers to send the message to youth that it is better to stand up, be heard and prevent violent acts or criminal offences than to remain silent and let acts occur.
Cpl Woods and Rock Solid partnered with School District #61 to create a program called the Rock Solid WITS Primary Program. WITS stands for "Walk away-Ignore-Talk it out-Seek help". The WITS program has presented in 29 schools in the Greater Victoria area, with 5,000 young students participating.
Rock Solid and the WITS program encourage involvement from parents, families, victims and the young offender in the rehabilitation and reintegration process.
| Contact person: | Cpl. Tom Woods 250-386-7625 |
Constable Ian Burke
Biography of Constable Ian Burke.
Constable Terry Graves
Constable Terry Graves had a dream to start a summer camp for "at-risk" youth which led to the establishment of Project Turnaround, a day camp based on the philosophy that youth succeed when they have positive experiences, guidance and adult role models in their lives. Project Turnaround is a step towards broadening the horizons of "at-risk" youth and decreasing their chances of exploitation. The program has seven elements: education, justice, health, spiritual self-awareness, community, environmental and vocation.
Cst. Graves researched and consulted others in the community before setting up Project Turnaround. He took steps to eliminate financial and transportation barriers and created a day camp that was the first of its kind in the Halifax region. His efforts have led to other related new projects within the Halifax region.
| Contact person: | Cst. Terry Graves Halifax Regional Police 902-435-8390 |
Constable Richard McDonald
Cst. Richard McDonald has been helping divert youth offenders from the criminal justice system since 1996. He was involved in the "restorative justice" process long before it became more commonly used. As a youth liaison officer, Cst. McDonald deals with youth from 12 to 15 years old. He assesses whether or not restorative justice would be appropriate for these youth offenders and meets with the Crown Attorney and defense counsel on the youth's behalf to make suggestions for meaningful consequences based on the offenses.
Cst. McDonald works with community groups and organizations to conduct interviews and public education forums on restorative justice. His record with this program is impressive—four out of five youths do not come into conflict again with the law or have not re-offended.
Cst. McDonald was the recipient of the 1997/98 Dunlop Award and has received numerous letters of appreciation for his work as a police officer.
| Contact person: | Cst. Richard McDonald Halifax Regional Police (902) 424-6222 |
Halton Youth Justice Program
The Halton Youth Justice Program, led by Inspector Dan Okuloski, is a pre-court diversion program, providing an alternative to the traditional Youth Justice court system.
The pre-court diversion program focuses on youths between 12 and 17, who have committed a criminal offense. The program is complemented with a "non-diversion" program and extends to the prevention and early intervention involving children under the age of 12 years. This community-based program invests in the future of young people and their families by partnering with multi-agencies, youth officers and social workers to meet the needs of the youth and community as an alternative to the formal court system.
Youth entering this program learn about respect for others, their property, the impact their actions have on victims, making restitution to victims, and giving back to the community through community service.
| Contact person: | Inspector Dan Okuloski District Commander 905-825-4747, ext. 2300 |
In 1998, the Hamilton Wentworth Regional Police Service instituted its "Strategic Approach to Youth Crime", a comprehensive, integrated approach to address youth crime in the Hamilton Wentworth Region. This new strategy grew out of research done by the police services into effective responses to youth crime and preventative measures. The results of the research showed the importance of prevention, early intervention, and strict enforcement programs.
The Hamilton Wentworth Regional Police Service strategy includes numerous prevention programs, community partnership, pre-charge diversion, a targeted enforcement program called STOP, and problem oriented policing and reintegration initiatives. STOP targets enforcement for repeat offenders. This integrated approach to youth policing promotes front line discretion, conferencing and extra-judicial measures. It emphasizes early intervention and respect for victims. It also facilitates learning by offenders and relies heavily on community partnerships.
| Contact person: | Sgt. Rob Mayea 905-546-4700 |
Constable Richard Choja
As part of the London Police Service's Victim of Residential Break and Enter Program, Constable Choja played an integral role in the production of videos which are used as teaching aids to both young offenders and victims. He added a realistic dimension to the program by helping participants understand this criminal offence for the young offender and the consequence of this criminal behaviour. The program dispels the myth that break, enter and theft is a victimless crime.
This tool is used in London Justice Circles, a restorative justice process where the victim, the offender, the families, and trained members of the community are involved to help determine solutions in response to the offender's behaviour.
| Contact person: | Constable Richard Choja 519-661-5684 |
Constable Pascal Richard
Trying a new and different way to deal with violence in schools, MUC police constable Pascal Richard organized a Non-Violence Promotion Day at Stanislas College in Outrement, Quebec. This included setting up and staffing a kiosk at the school to provide students with information and advice on how to prevent violence.
He also invited students to sign a pledge to promote non-violence and become ambassadors of peace in their communities. To remind students of their promise, this document is now on display at the school.
Constable Richard is part of MUC Police Station 36's strategy of attaching an officer to every high school in the neighbourhood. The goal is to help students learn about the consequences of violence and criminal behaviour and improve the ability of police to respond should an incident occur.
| Contact person: | Sergeant Normand Perrault Service de police de la Communauté urbaine de Montréal 514-280-0236 |
Inspector Robert Ciupa
Inspector Robert Ciupa played an integral role in establishing a liaison agreement between the police service and the Fort Erie
Native Friendship Centre. Inspector Ciupa developed a "ride along" program for local Aboriginal youth so they could develop
better relationships with the Niagara Police.
The initiatives of Inspector Ciupa have improved community relations. He has supported several programs through his involvement and implementation of ideas into action.
Over and above his police duties, Inspector Ciupa dedicates personal time as volunteer chair of the board of directors of a citizens advisory committee, which focuses on high-risk youth for the Correctional Services of Canada.
| Contact person: | Audra Chovit 905-871-8931 Bill Boston Acting Chief of Police Fort Erie, Ontario 905 688-4111 ext. 4202 |
Detective Sergeant Scott MacLean
As a high school liaison officer, Sgt Scott MacLean has helped to raise the police profile with local youth. He developed a Youth Justice Committee program for Port Colborne and Wainfleet for youth age 12-17 in both pre-charge and post-charge situations.
He has worked in the community both on duty and off to ensure the success of the restorative approach to youth justice. His work has also produced financial resources for the program.
He has been recognized and commended by the town of Port Colborne and is currently involved in a project to extend the youth justice committee approach to the larger Niagara region.
| Contact person: | Det-Sgt Scott MacLean 905-688-4111, ext 4246 |
Inspector Gary Wiles
Inspector Gary Wiles (retired) was a lead player in initiating the "Caledon Youth Services Corporation" that administers youth facilities and programs including "Flipside", a travelling youth centre and a skateboard park.
Inspector Wiles promoted the "Road Watch" program and, although he is retired, continues to volunteer his time to these programs and issues concerning youth in his area.
| Contact person: | Mayor Carol Seglins Town of Caledon 905-584-2272, ext. 2224 |
Constable Donna Cholette
After working in the West Carleton area of this region and making several arrests of local teenagers, the neighbourhood officer Constable Donna Cholette was concerned at how the system did not meet the needs of youth, parents and the community. She therefore started her own "Justice be Served" program. Her game plan was to place first time youth offenders on a diversion program, in which she would set up placement hours to be completed by the offenders and the type of work to be done. She assigned supervisors to each youth, who were responsible for completing progress reports and sending them to her for review.
She approached 20 business owners in her area with her plan and received such a positive response that she formed a partnership with the businesses in this area.
Cst. Cholette realized that many of the offenders required anger management courses, substance abuse counselling, therefore, she developed a partnership with the resource centre and educated herself on the programs these kids could be directly involved in. She then set out to partner with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, family physicians, suicide prevention, obsessive compulsive disorder counselling and many other related services. Cst. Cholette solves crimes, but also helps youth take responsibility by serving the community. Through restitution to the victim, personal services, and reconciliation the young person is given a chance to rehabilitate and reintegrate into the community.
| Contact person: | Staff Sgt Mel Robertson 613-236-1222, ext. 2911 |
Sergeant Mark Houldsworth
Biography of Sergeant Mark Houldsworth.
"The Eagle Project"
Inspector Dan McDonald, Sergeants Paul Thorne and Paul Beatty, Constables Jaime McGarry and Dan Dimitroff
In response to police experience dealing with students who committed offences while suspended from school, the police created a supervised diversion program for suspended students. The Eagle Project provides suspended students with a separate school facility at which they continue their studies while on suspension. The school is staffed by experienced teachers who have worked with high-risk youth in the past. In addition to continuing their studies in a school environment, students receive counseling and support to feel more successful and accepted. This is a creative approach with youth on suspension who are at a greater risk of criminal involvement. The program also makes counseling available to parents. Funds were raised to run this program which created a broad community partnership.
After witnessing the results of this program, the Ontario provincial government has announced that all school boards will be required to develop a similar program. The Eagle Project has been responsible for a noticeable improvement in students' attitudes and continues to raise funds, with a focus on expanding this program to two new sites.
| Contact person: | Supt. M. Metcalf 905-453-3311 ext. 2110 |
Constable Rob McGirr
Constable Rob McGirr developed an anti-drug strategy that involved many of the community stakeholders in Port Moody. This strategy included school visits and presentations and the production of a video about drug use among teens. He also wrote an information booklet called Drug Trends. The booklet has been distributed throughout the Tri-Cities area and abroad.
Cst. McGirr has mentored younger officers who are dealing with youth as well as assisted Prince Rupert to set up its own community drug strategy.
| Contact person: | Chief Constable Paul J. Shrive 604-461-3456 |
Division des relations publiques et communautaires
Biography of the "division des relations publiques et communautaires".
Detective Jerry Nelson and Jason Koochicum
As a result of an investigation into multiple cases of arson, the nominees developed a caring relationship with a 10 year-old youth involved in arson. They accompanied the youth to police interviews, being sensitive to address his fears, loneliness and anger. They were able to gain his trust and respect and facilitated the transfer of the youth into a foster home.
Jason Koochicum took the youth to his family on a First Nation reserve to get away from the negative influences of the city. His (Koochicum's) parents agreed to have this youth placed with them on the reserve to be raised as one of their family.
These two nominees showed the dedication and interdisciplinary co-operation to rehabilitate this youth and assisted him with his reintegration into the community
| Contact person: | Det. Sgt Jerry Nelson & Jason Koochicum 306-777-6584 |
Sergeant K.J. Graham
RCMP "K" Division, Alberta
Through the initiative, determination and commitment of Sergeant Kevin Graham the DARE program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) has been a major success in Alberta and has spread across Canada. Partnering is at the centre of his mission and he has reached out to other police officers, businesses and the community at large to raise over $680,000.00 in funding for training over the past four years.
Sgt Graham produced a DARE Video focusing on substance abuse educational programs. He also mobilized and trained over 300 police officers to help deliver the DARE program. These 300 officers are expected to provide the 17-week program to over 100,000 children. Over 97% of them will voluntarily teach DARE over and above their regular hours.
The DARE program has spread to other RCMP detachments, First Nations communities and to other provinces. It is being translated into French for an anticipated pilot project to be offered in the City of Montreal as a test in Quebec.
| Contact person: | Sgt Kevin Graham 780-412-5461 |
Constables Antonio Hernadez, Jason Martin, Ian Mcleod, Greg Smith, Carl Dinsdale
Winnipeg River RCMP, Powerview Detachment
The Powerview 2000 project was initiated by these officers this year, to develop better relationships between area youth, their communities and in particular the First Nations Community and police. The goal is to develop positive interaction with police before youth are recruited by gangs and to change the historically bad relationship between First Nations communities and the RCMP.
The group partnered with area schools to deliver information about the history of the RCMP, and career opportunities. They participated in school sporting events and eight youth won a trip to the RCMP Training Academy with funds raised locally.
This project motivated students to remain in school and to refrain from delinquent behaviour, promoted higher levels of education, empowered youths creating higher self-esteem and, in the police officers, provided role models for the youth. As a result other isolated First Nations northern detachments have approached Powerview to set up similar programs.
| Contact person: | Cpl Wade Gabriel 204-367-2222 |
Corporal Pat Poitevin
RCMP Ottawa
Corporal Pat Poitevin initiated an Internet-based approach to foster communication between youth and help them solve problems they may face. He created Drug Education and Awareness for Life (DEAL) web sites:
http://www.DEAL.org
http://www.CHOIX.org
The DEAL web site teaches youth healthy social values and allows them to look at the consequences of their actions. The web sites provide teachers and parents with information about best practices and projects.
DEAL aims at motivating and inspiring youth to become proactive in their communities, and to problem-solve issues of concern. This program is designed and maintained by youth allowing youth to claim ownership of the initiative. This resource is organized for youth, kids, parents, teachers and front line officers with pages that are fully searchable. Today DEAL is a resource of about 500 easy to navigate pages and receives more than 18,000 visitors per month.
| Contact person: | Guy Rock 613-993-8441 |
Sergeant Ken Smith
Codiac RCMP, Moncton, NB
Sgt Ken Smith demonstrated his commitment to working towards community safety and crime prevention through social development and by initiating community justice forums for the youth of the greater Moncton area.
Sgt Smith has helped to implement the restorative justice approach to youth justice in schools, neighbourhoods and the community. He advocated the training of both RCMP members and community representatives to make this goal possible. He also promoted this service to youth and victims involved in criminal behaviour. He closely partnered with the community and involved schools by hosting information sessions for school officials, New Brunswick housing developments, Block Parents Association, Town Council and other agencies.
He has been and continues to be an essential part of a group of individuals who have enhanced and strengthened the innovative capacity of the Greater Moncton area to respond to crime and conflict.
| Contact person: | Sgt. Ken Smith 506-859-2541 |
Constable Andrew Tolchard
RCMP Ridge-Meadows Detachment
Biography of Constable Andrew Tolchard.
Corporal Randy Walsh
RCMP "A" Division, Vanier
Corporal Randy Walsh met with several qualified community members to partner in a forum involving youth importing steroids and thereby initiated a "Restorative Justice Forum". This is the first Restorative Justice approach within a federal RCMP Division and was appropriately aimed at youth. The method adopted was a community-based alternative to pursuing the established court-based justice system.
This program used conferencing in a new context, encouraged involvement of parents, families and the community in rehabilitation and reintegration methods assisting youth in understanding the impact of their actions and the connection between the offence and its consequences.
| Contact person: | Inspector Garry W. G. Clement 613-993-3401 |
Corporal Davis Wendell
RCMP Richmond Detachment
During the 1999-2000 academic year, Cst. Davis J. Wendell completed a "problem-oriented policing project" at the McNair Secondary School. This school is located in a less affluent area of Richmond and has an enrollment in excess of 11,000 students, many of them "at risk" youths.
Cst. Wendell worked with students, teachers, parents, police and school drug counsellors through formal and informal interaction and education. His approach involved accountability and acceptance of responsibility by all, initiating team facilitated focus groups and several strategies to assist students, staff and parents.
Cst. Wendell's innovative approach has had a positive impact with McNair Secondary Student population and his results show the use of drugs in this school had decreased through this time period.
| Contact person: | Cst. Davis Wendell 604-278-1212 |
Constables Martin Pelletier and Serge Boivin
For the past two years, police officers Cst Martin Pelletier, Cst Serge Boivin and others have worked in local schools, helping to change parents' and youth perceptions of the police officer's role. For example, they liaise with schools, social service workers, community organizations and sexual assault centres. They also work with the local addiction rehabilitation clinic and youth protection service as part of a drug prevention project. In addition, they coordinate police operations to protect and ensure the safety of the school environment.
This job has not always been easy, for initially the presence of a police officer in the schools was often viewed with suspicion. But as the officers became more involved in school life by sharing student activities such as sporting events and graduation dances, attitudes changed. Now the students seek these officers out to discuss their concerns with them.
School officials are happy with the program too. They report that, since the Saint-Jérôme Metropolitan Police Force started their youth officer in the schools project, the whole atmosphere has changed with students exhibiting more confidence, hospitality, receptiveness and listening.
The police officers involved in program are pleased too. It gives them a chance to demonstrate their commitment to the community and local youth and their enthusiasm for their work soon wins over even the most hardened skeptics.
| Contact person: | Pierre Bourgeois Chef de police Saint-Jérôme, Québec 450-432-5299 |
Constable Craig Nyirfa
Constable Craig Nyirfa initiated the Aboriginal Liaison Program to partner and work with Aboriginal organizations, Elders, Aboriginal youth and other members of the community. Targeted at high-risk youth, the program serves as a vehicle to break down barriers that exist between the Aboriginal community and the police.
Activities included family outings, a cultural awareness winter camp, canoe trips, a 40 km hike, and a project that collected material to be used in sweat lodge ceremonies. These activities help develop self-esteem, pride, team building and cultural teaching.
The program is creating a better understanding of at risk-youth and helping to develop mutual trust and respect as well as to address issues of prejudice and racism in order to form a better understanding as to why youth in this area are involved in crime.
| Contact person: | Chief Dave Scott Saskatoon Police Services 306-975-8286 |
Sergeants Wayne Wallace and Tom Loster
These two officers have shown leadership and initiative in their community by working with high-risk youth. They consulted with many agencies within the community as well with the schools in their area to facilitate case consultation among all partners with these youth. Due to the efforts of these officers, youth who normally would not participate in school programs due to their past behaviour are now allowed to attend school. This is facilitated by the involvement of school vice-principals as active members of their program.
Both officers have modeled respect, dignity to all those they serve. Their approach uses front-end police discretion to help keep kids in school. Together they have helped to build bridges and trust with youth, the Aboriginal community, and other authority figures.
| Contact person: | Sgt Walker, Sgt Loster 306-975-8286 |
Thierry Brevet
Sûreté du Québec MRC, Deux-Montagnes
Sûreté du Québec Constable Thierry Brevet is making a difference in the lives of young people in the community of Deux-Montagnes. Constable Brevet works in Oka Secondary School as part of the PIMS (Police School Intervention) program, an initiative that works with youth in local schools. His efforts are obviously paying off, for violence and drug use in the school have dropped 50 per cent since he arrived on the scene.
To do this, he gets together with all of the students at the beginning of each year to explain what violence is, the importance of coming to him with incidents, and the consequences of illegal behaviour. He is at the school full-time and students can meet with him about any concerns, questions or fears they might have.
When an incident does happen—even a minor one—he talks with students, their parents, teachers and psychologists. He knows that everyone has to get involved if we are to continue to reduce youth crime.
Finally, he is convinced that police can make a big impact on youth crime by helping young people to take responsibility for their actions. And because habits develop early, this means working with all grades—including elementary school students—to discourage problems before they begin.
| Contact person: | Sgt Pierre Arseneault, 450-479-1313 Jacques Bérubé École secondaire d'Oka 450-479-8367 |
Sergeant Andy Hay
Sergeant Andy Hay put together a committee and a program to deal with young offenders through a community and family process of conferencing primarily dealing with youth aged 12-17. This program brings low-risk youth offenders and victims together, helping young offenders understand the impact of their actions on the victims and taking responsibility for their actions through reparation of damages.
Sgt Hay has supervised this program since 1988 and has been responsible for its positive expansion. A Community Restorative Conferencing training video was produced in 1999.
| Contact person: | Insp. Ron Gillies Thunder Bay Police 807-684-1284 |
Constable Jennifer Caddell
The Toronto Police Service, in partnership with several community agencies, developed a protocol for children under 12 who are in conflict with the law. Constable Jennifer Caddell has been instrumental in these efforts as well as providing training to both members of her own service and to external community agencies. She has helped to implement a newsletter and a web page, which links to other agencies.
The Toronto Police Service has developed and launched the first protocol in Canada for responding to the needs of children under 12. Through training, updated training videos and other presentations, TPS has made information available to other police services.
| Contact person: | Sgt. Deborah Massey Toronto Police Services C.P.S.U. 416-808-7030 |
Detective/Constables Diana Korn-Hassani, Brian Clarke, Colin Crooks and Peter Henry
VICE (Violence, Intimidation, Crews, Excluded) is an anti-violence campaign being undertaken and spearheaded by SWAT (Students with a Target). SWAT is a partnership of police, students and administrators. This program includes 28 schools within 33 Division. VICE has made presentations to over 1800 students and visited 355 schools to build relationships with its members.
VICE in its broadest scope is a crime preventing, crime fighting initiative, targeting violence, intimidation and gangs. It incorporates such programs as Crime Stoppers and Conflict Resolution and uses other means at its disposal to achieve its stated goals and objectives. Core members of this group include students from each grade of each school who attend monthly meetings for lectures, training and information sharing. In turn, these members return to their respective schools to disseminate information and promote the activities of VICE. Students taking the VICE Pledge promise not to participate in violence or any other crime, not bring any weapons to school, promise to report any violence or crimes and pledge to be a part of the solution, not the problem.
Their goal is to reduce violence, intimidation and crews (gangs) in the high schools and junior high schools within 33 Division, preserving a safe school environment for all students, staff and the surrounding community. This has led to students being more forthcoming in reporting crimes, and the organization of peer mediation and peer counselling conferences.
| Contact person: | J. Sneep A/Staff Inspector 416-808-3392 |
Constable Erik Jenny
The school liaison program has become an integral part of the proactive, educational partnership between the Vancouver Police and the Vancouver School Board. This partnership has worked to provide youth, school staff, families and community partners with consistent, knowledgeable, and accessible contact with policing services.
Constable Jenny pursues alternative methods to meet the needs of youth. He has accompanied youth and families through court proceedings, sought diversion, community service and restitution as alternatives to traditional sentencing, and then worked with youth and families to follow through with completion of the orders. In several cases this approach has resulted in gainful employment of the youth by the very victims of mischief. His honest manner with students has resulted in school sites that are caring, secure and safe havens for discussion about significant matters such as sexual exploitation of boys and girls, recruitment into gangs, bullying, violence and intimidation. The students regularly approach him to seek advice, to provide information and to bring combative elements together for mediation.
| Contact person: | Brenda Burroughs Principal, Templeton Secondary School 604-255-9344, 604-512-0041 |
"The Odd Squad"
Constables Toby Hinton, Al Arsenault, Dale Weidman, Dave Kolb, Len Hollingsworth, Mark Steinkempf, Walter McKay
In 1998, seven constables working in Vancouver's tough Downtown Eastside area decided to video-record the harsh realities of drug addition and life on the streets and to use the graphic videos they produced to educate young people about the dangers of drug abuse.
They pooled their personal resources to set up a project named "Odd Squad Productions" and developed an approach called "Reality Based Education".
This project has resulted in unique school and community-based education programs for young people. Odd Squad members have given over 300 presentations in the past three years and continue to respond to requests.
In addition, the National Film Board has produced a documentary on their work (Through a Blue Lens) that has been seen by 25 million people around the world. This project has educated young people about the realities of drug addiction in helping them to make informed choices about drug use in an innovative and unique way.
| Contact person: | Inspector Alex Hovbrender Vancouver Police Department 604-717-3331 |
Constable Greg Ralla
Constable Greg Ralla has a broad history working with youth in his community. He designed a resource guide for street youth with information on help agencies, how to obtain free food, clothing, shelter, showers and medical treatment. Over the last three years the "Dawn Patrol" program he started at the Granville Street Community Police Centre has helped locate 300 missing youth through early morning checks in well-known "camps". He then refers them to other agencies and makes links with family members.
Partnering with a Baptist Church, Cst. Ralla was able to set up a program to offer youth free food and shelter. This program feeds up to 100 street youth per week.
Cst. Ralla also developed a system for tracking street kids and set up a program where street youth would help remove graffiti from walls of building and malls and encouraged these youth to paint murals on walls that were available for them to express their feelings without getting into trouble.
| Contact person: | Cst. Greg Ralla 604-717-2778 |
Constable Richard Schaaf
Biography of Constable Richard Schaaf.
School Liaison Team
The School Liaison Team deals with youth who are getting into trouble by breaking the law or becoming involved with friends who are a negative influence. Team members hold "Victim Conferences" involving youth, parents, victims, school staff and police. The youth are encouraged to take responsibility for their crimes, and understand the impact their activities had on the victims. Attendees agree to a contract, whereby the youth agree to do community work and pay back costs to victims.
Through meetings set up to discuss problems that include violence, drugs, prostitution and safety, the team has developed a unique relationship with the students and their families in the community.
| Contact person: | Insp. Doug Mackay-Dunn Vancouver Police 604-717-2778 |
Detective/Constable Linda Stewart
Detective/Constable Stewart is a highly regarded hostage and crisis negotiator. Her ability to talk and listen to youth have led to the rapport she enjoys with youth involved with the law. She maintains contact with the youth she has arrested, developing relationships with these children throughout their treatment process.
Det/Cst. Stewart is sought out for her expertise by educators and other service providers and provides presentations at conferences, forums and other venues regarding youth, drugs and the recruitment pressures they face. She has raised awareness within the community about the use of heroin by youth and initiated a ride-a-long program to the drug hardened areas of the city to educate and assist troubled youth.
| Contact person: | Deputy Chief Constable Max Chalmers, Sgt Ed Eviston, Youth Squad 604-717-2778 |
Constables Willie Ducharme and Rick Kosowan
Biography of Constables Willie Ducharme and Rick Kosowan.
Constable Richard Morris
Biography of Constable Richard Morris.
Constable Jacqueline George
Biography of Constable Jacqueline George
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| Last Updated: 2005-10-20 |  |
Important Notices | ||