Chelsea Cabral is a Constable with the Barrie Police Service. She is the most compassionate, caring and giving officer I know. She is outspoken about first responder mental health, which is extremely helpful for our community. She is not only a member of the police service but also works as a volunteer firefighter, which is amazing.

I work for 7-Eleven located in Downtown Brampton. We have a bunch of homeless people in the area. As our business is operated 24/7, nights are hard to deal with. One night, we had a well-known homeless individual in our store. He wanted to have a nap by lying in the middle of store. We have made calls to the police several times about this individual for assistance in getting him out of the store. During one of the calls, we had Peel Regional Police Cst. Andrew Mintz respond. 

Stephen has been an OPP Officer since 1998. He has been a role model for many in his detachment. Since his start, he has worked in several departments having different positions but has always been who he is and continues to work hard to achieve his goals. He takes on any task given to him without hesitation. His hard work, dedication and determination makes him an excellent officer. No matter what, he is the one that will never say no and always there to back up his colleagues and members of the OPP. 

Recently, I started a “Birthday Card Bonanza” for my friend’s daughter Sarah - she turned 12 on December 5, 2020. This girl has gone through more in her 12 years then some of us will ever face in a lifetime. On October 29, 2020, her mom called to let me know that Sarah relapsed for the 5th time in her short life with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She had to be admitted yet again to Sick Kids, in Toronto, and start her next fight. She was first diagnosed at age 3, and I’ve stood by and tried to support her and family as I watched a huge chunk of her childhood be stolen.

I am nominating OPP Officer Tim Gadd for the Police Services Hero of the Year Award for the Community Role Model Award. Tim joined the OPP Police Service in April of 2016. Along with being an excellent team member on-duty, supporting his fellow officers, Tim shows exemplary leadership qualities off duty as well. Whether he is coaching youth bowling or taking part in organizing community activities with the Kinsmen Club of Canada with which he is a member, he is always looking for ways to be involved in the betterment of his small community of Dryden.

Hamilton Police Constable Labate is a community role model. Despite his quiet and reserved nature, he ensures that he shows up to work, on time, for all of his shifts, and puts in maximum effort. He would never brag or ask for recognition, which is precisely why he deserves it. He is just one of many unknown heroes who have dedicated their lives to the protection of the community and the upholding of the law...

In the time that I have known him, OPP PC Watts has shown a special dedication to the OPP Child Seat Program. He volunteers his time and efforts to several of the Auxiliary-run clinics at the Toronto and Port Credit (Mississauga) Detachments, and Community Clinics put on by other Partner Agencies such as Halton Region Public Health and car seat initiatives in Peel Region. PC Watts’ involvement has gone beyond just being a Child Seat Technician to also include his being a Certified Child Seat Technician Instructor where he volunteers his time to teach others.

I first met Barrie Police Constable Peters when I had to call police to my home involving my daughter who has autism. He treated both of us with respect and his efforts were noticed. He attended a few times after that with a stronger rapport due to familiarity. The next time, he attended in plain clothes as a member of the COAST TEAM (community support/ mental health) - I couldn't think of a better person to be a member of that team. 

I nominate Ottawa Police Service Officer Aaron Casselman for Service Beyond the Call of Duty. On February 17, 2021, my home was broken into during the day by a former acquaintance who acted violently in the past towards me. This individual left a cell phone charger and other possessions in my home, prior to my requesting that he leave the day prior. I informed the individual that he was required to have a member of the OPS accompany him to retrieve his possessions. 

I have been working as a Housing Stability Worker for Street Level Women at Risk for three and a half years. I believe London Police Service Sergeant Amy Birtch has been an incredible contribution and instrumental asset to the successes of our Program. I also believe her role working on the streets in the City of London has built a bridge of invaluable trust while breaking barriers for those most vulnerable and at risk. Sergeant Amy Birtch is shinning example of serving with community excellence.