Geraldine Stafford (CACP), Stefan Schurman (Axon), Staff Sergeant Neil Vaid (RCMP), Superintendent Lori Seale-Irving (RCMP), Senior Deputy Commissioner Bryan Larkin (RCMP), Sergeant Dawn Langevine (RCMP), Elizabeth Nguyen (CACP)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 August 16, 2026

EDMONTON, ALBERTA – The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) is pleased to announce the winner of the CACP/Axon Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Award which recognizes excellence, dedication, and initiative to enhance community trust and create a corporate culture that is fair, supportive and inclusive. This award is presented to an individual/team that demonstrates a passion for achieving progress in this area.

This year, the award goes to Superintendent Lori Seale-Irving, Sergeant Dawn Langevine, and Staff Sergeant Neil Vaid of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for their leadership role in the creation of the Racialized Diversity Employee Network (RDEN) Team.

In 2020, Superintendent Lori Seale-Irving founded the RDEN to address systemic barriers and to enhance inclusivity within the RCMP organization. Together, with Sergeant Dawn Langevine and Staff Sergeant Neil Vaid, this dedicated team initiated transformative work to improve the recruitment, mentorship, and retention of employees from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Their combined efforts have resulted in tangible progress toward creating a more representative and inclusive organization.

In December 2020, the team delivered a presentation outlining challenges and barriers faced by racialized applicants and members which served as a foundational step in shifting organizational awareness and priorities around inclusion. In 2021, the team launched the Depot Outreach Program, a peer-to-peer initiative providing culturally informed support to diverse cadets. The program paired cadets with regular members from similar backgrounds to provide mentorship and community during training. This concept later evolved into the Diversity, Inclusion, and Culture Enhancement (DICE) program. 

Their expertise was further sought in support of the Indigenous Pre-Cadet Training Program (IPTP). Recognizing a need for personalized feedback, Staff Sergeant Neil Vaid designed a Microsoft Forms-based practice exam simulating the official RCMP entrance test. Administered to 30 IPTP students, the tool automatically generated performance reports, enabling individualized feedback and targeted skill development. The team mentored IPTP applicants throughout the recruitment process, improving candidate readiness and confidence and demonstrating commitment beyond formal responsibilities.

In 2025, the team met with the Independent Centre for Human Rights (ICHR), providing insights and recommendations which helped ICHR identify systemic gaps, develop more inclusive practices, and ensure the lived experiences of racialized members were reflected in policy development and decision-making.

This team has cemented their reputation as trusted advocates and leaders. Their work, driven by empathy, cultural awareness, and an unwavering dedication to systemic improvement, stands as a model of excellence and public service.

“What makes this initiative particularly noteworthy is its focus on people. Through thoughtful leadership, advocacy, and a commitment to supporting others, it has created opportunities for individuals to thrive while helping to strengthen the organization as a whole. It is an outstanding example of equity, diversity, and inclusion in action”— Deputy Chief Treena MacSween, Co-Chair, CACP Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

“What sets this initiative apart is its sustained and evolving commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Rather than viewing success as the completion of a single project, the team has consistently built upon each achievement to create lasting, systemic change. Through strategic vision, innovation, and years of dedicated effort, they have developed sustainable programs, removed barriers to opportunity, and helped build a more representative police service that better reflects and serves the communities of Canada.” – Elizabeth Nguyen, Co-Chair, CACP Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Committee.

“Leadership has the greatest impact when it creates opportunities for others. Superintendent Lori Seale-Irving, Sergeant Dawn Langevine and Staff Sergeant Neil Vaid have demonstrated that through their commitment to mentorship, inclusion and meaningful change within the RCMP. At Axon, we believe building safer communities starts with people, and their work is a powerful example of how investing in people can create lasting impact. We are proud to recognize their leadership with this award.” — Stefan Schurman, Director, Axon Canada

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For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Natalie Wright | natalie@cacp.ca | 613.838.8807 | www.cacp.ca