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Members of the Niagara and Vancouver police services receive Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Awards

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) has announced the winners of two awards recognizing “excellence, dedication and initiative to enhance community trust and create a corporate culture that is fair supportive and inclusive.”

The CACP/Axon Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Awards are presented to an individual and a team who demonstrate a passion for achieving progress in this area. This year, the individual award is presented to Sgt. Tammy Morden of the Niagara Regional Police Service for the successful creation of a Chief of Police Community Inclusion Council.

Sgt. Tammy Morden of the Niagara Regional Police Service. Photo: CACP

Thanks to the foundation of trust she established, the council was formed in 2019 with representation from over 20 diverse community organizations. In addition to helping improve relations and engagement between the police and the diverse communities represented on the council, this initiative provides a valuable resource for consultation and cooperation among the participating agencies.

Sgt. Morden organizes a series of visits to cultural centers throughout the region and includes new recruits and currently serving members on these visits. Community interest in hosting a visit has grown.

She has also been key in developing the 2020-2022 Niagara Regional Police Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan, with insights gathered through the Community Inclusion Council. Sgt. Morden is a strong advocate for building mutual understanding and respect for diverse communities and overall inclusivity.

She has served with the Niagara Regional Police Service for 29 years and has held a variety of postings including Uniform Patrol, Traffic Unit, Fraud Investigations, Training Unit / Use of Force, and Executive Services. She is currently the sergeant in charge of the Policy & Risk Management Unit.

Congratulations also go out to the Vancouver Police Department’s (VPD) Diversity Inclusion and Indigenous Relations Section (DIIRS), who were selected as recipients of the team award.

This team is responsible for advancing a strategic, structured approach to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), proactively developing an inclusive and equitable workplace while externally engaging with diverse, marginalized and vulnerable populations. The DIIRS provides accountability to EDI by collaborating on VPD policy development, language, training and inclusive activities. This section prioritizes engagement with diverse communities and transmits this role organizationally through innovative, collaborative initiatives and core programming.

Importantly, relevant programs are externally evaluated to ensure measurable outcomes are occurring. The DIIRS operates as a team, supporting new concepts generated within the section, as well as from employees throughout the VPD, such as member-led programming that promotes the inclusion of women, LGTBQ2S+ staff and employees of diverse cultures. The DIIRS consistently works beyond daily duties to include diverse personnel in the execution of programming. The DIIRS continues to successfully develop and execute a myriad of EDI activities to ensure that VPD employees and the diverse and vibrant communities they serve feel supported and excel because of equitable opportunities and inclusive environments.

“These awards are about celebrating the members of our police agencies who are able to breathe life into abstract concepts like equity, diversity and inclusion and demonstrate how these can translate into concrete actions that improve the culture and relationships that make our agencies and communities better places in which to live and work,” said Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie, co-chair of the CACP Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. “Their efforts are key to further advancing community trust and confidence in policing.”