ProAction Cops & Kids 2023 Award Winners

DRPS proudly recognizes two officers for receiving ProAction Cops & Kids 2023 Awards

D/Cst. Bailey Guminny was awarded the 2023 Chuck Mercier Award, and Cst. Patrick Jones was awarded the 2023 Dave Wilson Award.

The Chuck Mercier Award recognizes the police officer who created the most innovative in-person or virtual police-youth program(s) which took place in the Durham Region and was funded by ProAction Cops & Kids in 2023.

D/Cst, Bailey Guminny received this award for organizing The Girls Empowerment Program which provided young women with opportunities to socialize in a positive setting with police officers, with a focus on breaking down barriers and opening lines of communication. D/Cst. Guminny organized unique activities such as painting, archery, and tree top trekking while connecting with and utilizing community partners who could provide the young women with different resources.

Participants found the activities to be fun and engaging, and parents openly shared their appreciation for the opportunities provided to their daughters. Through The Girls Empowerment Program, young girls from the Oshawa area were able to build positive and long-lasting relationships with officers and have unique and impactful experiences.

Congratulations D/Cst. Guminny.

The Dave Wilson Award recognizes the police officer who has shown the most remarkable level of commitment to police-youth in-person or virtual program(s) which took place in 2023 across Durham Region and was funded by ProAction Cops & Kids.

Cst. Jones launched the DRPS Lacrosse in Schools program in September 2021 and has spent a significant amount of time coordinating with four different school boards to maximize opportunities for young people in Durham to play this national sport. He has also outlined short and long-term goals, ensuring the program is feasible and sustainable for the future.

Cst. Jones is passionate about making a difference in the lives of youth in his community and continues to demonstrate a positive impact on police-youth relationships, fostering trust and mutual respect. Through the DRPS Lacrosse in Schools Program, over 1,000 young people in the community of Clarington had opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise have, developing new skills and learning Lacrosse, Canada’s national sport.

Congratulations Cst. Jones.