MINISTER OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES WINNER OF THE 2011 NATIONAL YOUTH JUSTICE POLICING AWARD
WINDSOR, August 21, 2011 – The Vancouver Police Department's Diversity and Aboriginal Policing Section is the winner of the 2011 Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award for a program that provides youth with resources and alternatives to gang involvement.
Parliamentary Secretary Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Q.C., M.P. for Delta-Richmond East, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, presented the award at the annual conference of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) in Windsor, Ontario.
"I am proud to recognize this year's award recipients, whose work has provided troubled youth with the opportunity and confidence to make better choices,"
said Ms. Findlay. "These officers have demonstrated an outstanding level of personal dedication and commitment to finding innovative solutions to tackling the issue of youth crime."
The Vancouver Police Department won for their Eastside Aboriginal Space for Youth (E.A.S.Y.) program. Based on years of experience and work forging more positive and trusting relationships with the Vancouver urban Aboriginal community, the Vancouver Police Department's Diversity and Aboriginal Policing Section started the E.A.S.Y. program to combat youth crime and gang recruitment.
A Certificate of Distinction was also awarded to Constable Perry Mason of the Hamilton Police Service for his years of commitment and dedication to working with youth who come into contact with the law. Over the past 32 years, Constable Mason has gained extensive policing experience in dealing with bullying and youth justice issues. He is one of the first police officers in Hamilton to use restorative practices and has become an expert on restorative justice and healing circles.
"On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to congratulate the team members of the Vancouver Diversity and Aboriginal Policing Section's E.A.S.Y. program and Constable Perry Mason, and also thank each and every police officer, for their hard work in keeping our communities safe,"
said Ms. Findlay.
The Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award is sponsored by the Department of Justice in collaboration with the CACP. Award criteria include innovation and creativity and the use of community-based resources as alternatives to formal court processes. Also considered are effective uses of police discretion, conferencing, alternatives to custody and the rehabilitation and reintegration of youth in conflict with the law. For more information about the Award, the winners and nominees, please visit http://canada.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/yj-jj/fund-fond/awards-prix/awards-prix.html.
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