2025 OACP Annual Awards
The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), in partnership with our valued stakeholders, is proud to celebrate excellence in policing through our Annual Awards program. These awards recognize outstanding individuals and teams who exemplify the highest standards of professionalism, commitment, integrity, and accountability in policing and public safety across Ontario.
How to Submit a Nomination
To submit a nomination, complete the fillable form provided and submit it to Sharon Seepersad. Along with the completed form, please provide a description of the nominee’s achievements in 500 words or less, detailing why the individual, team, or initiative deserves this recognition.
Please note the following nomination guidelines:
- Self-nominations will not be accepted.
- Nominators are responsible for providing a comprehensive summary of the nominee's accomplishments, demonstrating why they stand out as the most deserving of this prestigious award.
- Each nomination must include the support or endorsement of the Chief, Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, or their designated representative.
Eligibility
The Annual Awards are open to the following:
- Ontario police service members (sworn or civilian)
- Teams or initiatives from Ontario police services
We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating the exceptional contributions of those who advance policing and public safety in Ontario.
OACP Traffic Safety Excellence Award
In Ontario’s policing community, certain individuals distinguish themselves as lifelong leaders in the field of traffic safety. These visionaries demonstrate unwavering dedication and an enduring commitment to ensuring public safety on our roadways. Their contributions span their entire policing careers and are marked by the development of strategic partnerships, the championing of innovative solutions, and the implementation of effective enforcement and educational initiatives both within the policing profession and throughout the broader community.
Each year, police officers across Ontario, driven by a deep sense of responsibility, spearhead numerous traffic safety initiatives on behalf of their respective agencies. These initiatives are designed to reduce the incidence of fatalities and serious injuries caused by motor vehicle collisions on the province’s highways. Many of these programs stand out for their effectiveness, creativity, and innovation, underscoring the strong commitment of Ontario’s police services to addressing traffic safety concerns and building trust within their communities.
The OACP Traffic Safety Excellence Award recognizes outstanding contributions to traffic safety in Ontario. This prestigious award will be presented to a currently serving individual, police organization, or initiative that has demonstrated exceptional dedication and significant impact in advancing traffic safety within the province.
This annual award is made possible by the generous support from the CAA South Central Ontario.
OACP/CCN Catherine Martin Award of Excellence in Media Relations
The Catherine Martin Award for Excellence in Media Relations celebrates the dedication and commitment of individuals within Ontario police services who have significantly enhanced the relationship between the police and the media.
Presented annually by the OACP and the Chair of the Corporate Communications Network (CCN), this prestigious award recognizes a sworn or civilian member—or a team—who has consistently demonstrated professionalism and innovation in the strategic use of media and social media. Whether through individual efforts or as part of a broader campaign, recipients of this award effectively educate the public, highlight the policing profession, support public safety initiatives, or advance investigations within their communities.
Award recipients are distinguished by their valued advisory role within their organizations, offering strategic recommendations to police leadership and crafting impactful messaging that resonates across the Province of Ontario. Their efforts exemplify the vital connection between law enforcement, media, and the communities they serve.
This annual award is made possible by the generous support from Hamilton Police Service.
2025 OACP/CCN Catherine Martin Award of Excellence in Media Relations Criteria
OACP Award of Excellence in Community Safety, Wellness, and Crime Prevention
The Community Safety and Well-Being Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of police agencies and their community partners working collaboratively to enhance community safety and well-being.
This award celebrates initiatives that exemplify a commitment to Ontario’s Mobilization and Engagement Model of Community Policing by addressing areas of concern or situations of elevated risk within their communities. Submissions should highlight the innovative collaboration and proactive strategies employed to improve outcomes, even if the project is ongoing or was not initially designed using this model.
To be considered, the submission must clearly demonstrate how the initiative aligns with the principles of the model and contributes to the overarching goal of fostering community safety and well-being. This award serves as a testament to the power of partnership and the shared responsibility of creating safer, healthier communities.
This annual award is made possible by the generous support from Accident Support Services International Ltd.
2025 OACP Award of Excellence in Community Safety, Wellness, and Crime Prevention Criteria
OACP Excellence in Leadership Award
The Leadership Excellence Award honors the exceptional achievements of a member of a police service who consistently exemplifies outstanding leadership and engagement within their organization and the broader community.
This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate a commitment to excellence, inspire others through their actions, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of their organization’s goals and the well-being of the communities they serve. Through their leadership, award recipients embody the values of dedication, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to fostering positive change.
This annual award is made possible by the generous support from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.
OACP Excellence in Information Technology/Services Award
The Excellence in Information Technology Award recognizes the achievements of police agencies that have successfully leveraged technology to develop and implement transformative initiatives, resulting in significant advancements for their organization and the broader policing community.
Award recipients must identify the project or initiative, provide a detailed description of its development and outcomes, and clearly demonstrate the innovative aspects of the technology utilized. Submissions should highlight the measurable impact of the project on the police service and its contributions to enhancing operational efficiency, community safety, or other key areas.
Presented annually by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), this prestigious award is open to all Ontario police services and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachments. It celebrates agencies that exemplify excellence in the implementation and use of new technology, showcasing the critical role of innovation in modern policing.
This annual award is made possible by the generous support from Magnet Forensics.
2025 OACP Excellence in Information Technology/Services Award Criteria
OACP Award of Excellence in the Advancement of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity in Policing
The OACP Award of Excellence in the Advancement of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity in Policing recognizes an individual and/or police service that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to fostering and advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within their organization and/or the communities they serve.
Nominees must highlight innovative programs or initiatives implemented within the 18 months preceding the call for nominations. These efforts should illustrate measurable success in enhancing community trust, promoting police legitimacy, and fostering organizational cultures rooted in mutual respect, fairness, and inclusivity.
Submissions should reflect the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion as defined by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee:
- Equity involves fairness, ensuring everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed by removing barriers that disadvantage certain groups. This is distinct from equality, which emphasizes treating everyone the same.
- Diversity encompasses the wide range of visible and non-visible characteristics, experiences, and identities that shape individuals. These include dimensions such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, disabilities, beliefs, political ideologies, and perspectives.
- Inclusion entails recognizing, valuing, and creating space for diversity, enabling organizations to harness the full spectrum of skills, talents, and experiences that diversity brings.
This award celebrates efforts that create meaningful change, enhance community relationships, and set a benchmark for EDI within policing.
This annual award is made possible by the generous support from Accident Support Services International Ltd.
OACP AGCO Award for Outstanding Investigation
The AGCO Award for Outstanding Investigation celebrates exceptional investigative and enforcement efforts by police agencies in the alcohol, gaming, horse racing, and cannabis retail sectors, all of which are integral to maintaining public safety across Ontario. This award underscores the diligence of police officers who identify and hold accountable individuals and corporations for actions that endanger communities.
Police officers work closely with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)—the provincial agency responsible for regulating these sectors under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, the Gaming Control Act, 1992, the Horse Racing Licence Act, 2015, and the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018. Their collaborative efforts ensure regulatory compliance and the safeguarding of public safety.
The original Award for Outstanding Liquor Enforcement, previously awarded annually by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) and sponsored by the AGCO, was temporarily paused. Relaunched this year as the AGCO Award for Outstanding Investigation, the award now encompasses investigative and enforcement work conducted across all four regulated sectors.
This prestigious award will be presented to a police agency that demonstrates excellence and innovation in their work within these sectors. All police services and law enforcement agencies conducting investigations in Ontario are eligible to receive this honour.
This annual award is made possible by the generous support from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario