Unique OPP initiative wins international praise

OPP NEWS RELEASE

**************************** OPP Aboriginal Policing Bureau program model wins international praise

ORILLIA - An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer from the Aboriginal Policing Bureau has received an award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) to recognize his contribution to a unique OPP initiative designed to promote a positive and culturally-relevant experience to aboriginal youth.

Sergeant Jeff Simpkins accepted a law enforcement officer of the year award on October 4 at the IACP Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado.

Sergeant Simpkins has received this award for his role in developing and delivering a highly-successful program named North of 50 / Cops and Kids in the remote community of Pikangikum located 100 kilometres northwest of Red Lake in northwestern Ontario.

North of 50 / Cops and Kids provides a culturally relevant experience to disadvantaged Aboriginal youth by providing them with an opportunity to simply have a positive interaction with pro-social members of their community.

The goal is to build capacity among the youth by having fun, learning healthy lifestyle choices, and establishing meaningful bonds with community members.

"This OPP-led program is among many that are near and dear to my heart because it reaches young people in their community at a critical time in their lives," says OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino.

"We are confident that the outcome of the North of 50 / Cops and Kids project will make a difference in the lives of the youth and future leaders of this community," adds Superintendent Brad Blair, commander of the OPP Aboriginal Policing Bureau.

The OPP adds this award to its collection of International Association of Chiefs of Police awards received this year at the annual IACP conference in Denver Colorado.

Other awards include two for the OPP Provincial Traffic Safety Program and one for the Career Development Bureau for the development with the RCMP of a police resourcing model.

For more information on the IACP and the awards, visit www.iacp.org

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