In 2016, Court Officer Kent Taylor was invited to initiate and facilitate a community outreach program to support and mentor young men in challenging parental and life circumstances. Orillia and the surrounding community had many supports for young mothers, but none for the fathers. Many of the young men were experiencing challenges in their parental relationships, often involving in the criminal and/or family court systems. This led to Kent’s implementing a one-to-one, twelve week mentoring program... 

It is so important to share that OPP Sgt. Brooke McRoberts represents our Indigenous community. She began policing in her community of Chippewas of Rama, and was a remarkable role model for all our children. Brooke truly represents community policing as she often extends herself and goes above and beyond in assisting our youth in education, prevention, and proactive role modeling. My own family has had a personal and positive experience with Brooke's approach to inclusion and diversion. She is a strong advocate for raising awareness for MMIW, a wonderful mother, great mentor for our youth, and a source of strong support by building the bridge of hope and strength as allies between Indigenous Peoples and the OPP.

OPP Provincial Constable Erin Mosher has been a victim advocate working in the role of abuse issues and mental health coordinator. She goes above and beyond ensuring each individual she comes in touch with is met with kindness and connected with community supports. She ensures those individuals that may fall through the cracks of the system have home visits and presented with every opportunity to succeed. Erin not only advocates for individuals in her community, she is a mentor to her fellow officers. Often, she is giving support to fellow colleagues and guiding them through tough personal situations. 

Sergeant William Loucks has been a member of York Regional Police for 20 years. He has shown leadership in all capacities he has worked in, from working in the Domestic Violence Unit, Auto Cargo Theft unit and most recently in a uniform capacity. He exemplifies leadership and knowledge and has mentored other officers, giving them guidance, helping them work through scenarios to help them learn and develop...

Stratford Police Sgt. James Jardine has been a wonderful volunteer with various groups. Through work, he has volunteered his time off-duty at family fishing day (Canadian Tire Kids and Cops), our local food and toy drives, as well as the Ride for Epilepsy. He also sat on board of directors for Victim Services Bruce Grey Perth for a couple years, and currently (for 4 years now) still on Board of Directors at a local church. On top of his volunteering, he is also a neighbourhood helper. James can often be found snow blowing many of the lanes through the neighbourhood, and helping mow lawns in the warmer weather.

I would like to nominate my husband Dale Fairbarn as hero of the year. Dale has been with the South Simcoe Police Service for 30 years - 17 as an officer and 13 with the Auxilary. A career Police Officer; saving lives, consoling families, serving the community, making a difference and finding the ability to stay strong and stand up with the rest. Dale is very dedicated to the job, his partners and the lives in which he made a difference and to the ones who are now part of the memory. Currently off on medical leave fighting the fight, Dale is dedicated in helping others who suffer see there is light at the end of the tunnel.

London Police Constable Anthea Fordyce started Project Santa in 2016 to help provide clothing for kids in need across the city. This project has grown into providing warm winter clothing and boots for thousands of children, families and new Canadians. Project Sneaker was another project organized by Constable Fordyce in the spring to provide running shoes to help get kids outside and active. Constable Fordyce started this program by a small donation from the London Police Association and with more organization's help, the project has now grown to thousands of students benefiting. Constable Fordyce worked in schools as a Resource Officer and became invested in working with students in the developmental classrooms, working hard to make them feel safe. She is currently Diversity Officer for the London Police Services.

I am nominating Ottawa Police's Mel Shortman for the Community Role Model award. I first met Cst. Shortman while training in martial arts, where she consistently provided support and assistance to all new and established trainers. She is engaged with the community and has demonstrated a unique ability to connect with a variety of different personalities. What first impressed me about Mel was that she was an entirely down-to-earth officer who treated everyone equally and entirely without judgement. She really made the gym an amazing place to go as she inspired a sense of community and teamwork. 

Sgt. Avery Bassett is one of the hardest working people I have met. In addition to overseeing Community programs, in school safety, keeping up with the opioid crisis, and overseeing Auxiliary officers, she volunteers and sits on 3 community boards, where her insight and leadership are highly valued. She has recently been asked to serve in an additional capacity on the Penetanguishene board to work on special projects. She is cheerful, hardworking and inspiring, both in her OPP role, but for the purpose of this award, the community.

Windsor Police Constable Tim Harrington has dedicated his career to helping out fellow police officers. For several years, Tim was the coordinator of the Peer Support program where he spent tireless hours of his own time assisting members of the service when in they were crisis. He has forged several community contacts in our city providing access to programs to assist police members. While Tim is no longer the program coordinator, he continues to advocate for members and assisting them on his own time. Tim is due to retire in April of 2021 but has advised that he will remain on with Peer Support. Tim is a true hero for the Windsor Police Service.