FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 12, 2024

The CACP selects two individuals to receive the CACP Recognition Award

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA – During the Opening Ceremonies of the 119th Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), two individuals who have demonstrated exceptional involvement, extraordinary support, and outstanding initiative in advancing the CACP’s goals and strategic priorities received the CACP Recognition Award.

Chosen by the President, with endorsement from the CACP Board of Directors, the winners of this distinguished award are considered to be leaders among leaders, individuals who exemplify the association’s values of courage, integrity, respect, transparency, inclusiveness, excellence and compassion.

The CACP recognized the contributions of Mr. Francis Brabant, the Legal Counsel for the Sûreté du Québec who has been a CACP member for over 20 years as well as a long-standing member and past co-chair of the CACP’s Law Amendments Committee.

Mr. Brabant combined his legal training and extensive knowledge of police operations, challenges and priorities to help promote greater awareness, appreciation, and collaboration between all professionals involved in the criminal justice system including the police, prosecutors, judges and correctional officers.

For several years now, he has been a constructively critical and impactful voice for the police leadership community on the Government of Canada’s Steering Committee on Justice Efficiencies and Access to the Criminal Justice System.

Mr. Brabant has helped the CACP consider and analyze complex topics such as the legalization of cannabis, criminal investigation practices, and more recently, pre-charge and post-charge screening, to name just a few.

“Francis Brabant’s sound advice has, and continues, to contribute to the articulation of CACP position statements regarding laws and policies that impact the police.,” said Chief Danny Smyth, Past President of the CACP. “He has not only been a strong advocate for the police but has facilitated communications with and between police services and other partners within Canada’s justice system.”                                                                      

Congratulations also go out to Dr. Kyle Handley, a Staff Psychologist at York Regional Police and a very engaged member of the Human Resources and Learning Committee, and co-chair of the Psychological Services Committee he was instrumental in creating.

The Psychological Services Committee seeks to advance evidence-based solutions for the effective prevention, treatment and recovery from the mental health issues that can potentially affect police personnel at all levels.

This committee recognized that, in addition to the general stressors that affect all workplaces, police personnel are exposed to a unique and difficult set of job-related hazards. Law enforcement teams are under enormous pressure and are dealing with an unprecedented demand in calls for service, persistent public scrutiny, and ongoing exposure to crisis situations and trauma.

While police leaders recognize their responsibility to ensure the physical and mental well-being of their front-line personnel, Dr. Handley has challenged police leaders to acknowledge and address the unique demands and challenges of police executives.

He also recognized that many police services now employ staff psychologists within their teams and that there was a need to increase opportunities for this group of specialized professionals to consult one another and work together.

“Under the leadership of Dr. Handley, the CACP now boasts several reference tools to help police leaders manage key situations related to the mental health and well-being of police professionals,” stated Chief Smyth. “One of the key pillars of the CACP’s strategic direction is to support our people by building capacity and resilience. Thanks to Dr. Handley, we now have a committee specifically devoted to supporting us in this domain.” 

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

 Natalie Wright

Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police | Communications Manager | communications@cacp.ca | 613.838.8807

From left to right: Mr. Francis Brabant and Chief Danny Smyth

From left to right: Dr. Kyle Handley and Chief Danny Smyth