From left to right: Superintendent Chris Romanchych (CACP), Constable Jennifer Allen (Saanich Police Department), Jacqueline Massi (Accident Support Services International Ltd.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 17, 2026

EDMONTON, ALBERTA – The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) is proud to announce the winner of an award recognizing a member of the policing community that has made significant and outstanding contributions to road safety throughout their career through education, enforcement, training and/or community-based programs.

This year, the CACP Road Safety Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Accident Support Services International Ltd., was presented to Constable Jennifer Allen of the Saanich Police Department for her lifelong commitment, exceptional professionalism, and measurable impact on road safety.

Constable Allen’s 23-year policing career exemplifies unwavering dedication to road safety, exceptional subject-matter expertise, and a profound commitment to reducing impaired driving tragedies. Across more than two decades of service in California and British Columbia, she has built a legacy defined by operational excellence, relentless pursuit of impaired drivers, and transformative mentorship of new officers.

Her leadership, investigative excellence, and dedication to public safety has saved lives, strengthened organizational capacity, and created a lasting legacy through the officers she trains. With her anticipated retirement in January 2029, she remains steadfast in her mission to prosecute impaired drivers and to teach as many officers as possible to continue this critical work.

Constable Allen began her career in 2003, and served in Chino and Palm Springs California. In 2005, she became a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), a certification that would shape the remainder of her professional career. In 2008, she was assigned as the department’s DUI Enforcement Officer, quickly becoming a recognized expert in impaired-driving investigations.

Her commitment extended beyond enforcement as she developed a community outreach partnership with MADD in Riverside County, staffed educational events, and even designed and led the department’s first MADD-themed float in the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, promoting safe decision-making during the holiday season. In 2010, she completed motor officer academy training, distinguishing herself as the only female in a 10-person course. Her initiative, resilience, and professionalism earned her the distinction of becoming only the second female motor officer in the 75-year history of the Palm Springs Police Department. Between 2008 and 2014, as part of the department’s fatal-crash team, Constable Allen investigated 76 fatal collisions, often serving as the primary investigator or leading the impaired-driving component. One notably complex investigation relied heavily on her DUI expertise and resulted in the defendant being held to answer for two counts of second-degree murder based on prior DUI history.

In 2016, Constable Allen moved to Canada and joined the Saanich Police Department. From 2018 to 2023, she was assigned to the Integrated Road Safety Unit where she not only delivered high-volume, high-quality traffic enforcement but also created a very effective recruit training. She has been recognized for her dedication year after year achieving Alexa Team honours every year since 2018. Many officers will achieve an Alexa Team award, but very seldom will a single officer be able to demonstrate a career in law enforcement of such dedicated and focused determination of keeping impaired drivers off our roadways. Her stewardship of the approved screening device (ASD) calibration program as exceptional, ensuring that every device is calibrated, tested, logged, and compliant with operational and legal standards. Her meticulous management of this essential program demonstrates a rare combination of technical precision, accountability, and commitment to excellence. Since 2020 she has given over 8,000 violation tickets. Her professionalism has helped make Canada's roads among the safest in the world.   

“For more than 23 years, Constable Jennifer Allen has been a tireless champion for road safety. Her expertise, leadership, and dedication to impaired driving enforcement have saved lives, strengthened policing, and left a lasting legacy through the officers she has mentored. This Lifetime Achievement Award is a well-deserved recognition of an exceptional career in service to public safety.” — Chief Superintendent André Phelps, Co-Chair CACP Traffic Safety Committee.

“This award is a well-deserved recognition of Constable Jennifer Allen’s more than two decades of extraordinary dedication to impaired driving enforcement, officer training, and public safety. Her lifelong commitment to keeping roadways safe, mentoring the next generation of police officers, and advancing road safety initiatives has left a lasting impact on communities across Canada and beyond.” — Superintendent Chris Romanchych, Co-Chair CACP Traffic Safety Committee.

“Congratulations Constable Jennifer Allen on this outstanding achievement. For more than two decades, her work in policing and community outreach, particularly in addressing impaired driving, has helped create safer communities and save lives. Her commitment to education, enforcement, and public awareness has helped protect countless road users and serves as an example of excellence in traffic safety.” — Steve Sanderson, President, Accident Support Services International Ltd

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For further information or to arrange a media interview, please contact:

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