OACP & GM OnStar Canada Honour Det. Cst. Glanfield With The Heroes Beyond the Badge Award

MEDIA RELEASE

Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and General Motors OnStar Canada Honour Hamilton Police Service Detective Constable Robert Glanfield With The Heroes Beyond the Badge Award   

For Immediate Release: April 10, 2025

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) and General Motors OnStar Canada are pleased to announce that Hamilton Police Service Detective Constable Robert Glanfield has been awarded the Heroes Beyond the Badge Award in recognition of his role and dedication to The Streets to Wilderness Algonquin Mentoring Program for Youth (SWAMPY).

The Heroes Beyond the Badge Program honours an individual or team in a police service whose contributions to policing excellence deserves to be known and appreciated. Individuals and/or teams are recognized for the things beyond “operational” duties that police officers and personnel do to support their colleagues and communities.

SWAMPY is a Hamilton Police Service initiative which began in 2008 with the goal of building and strengthening relationships between police officers and youth within the community. During the three-day event, youth and Hamilton police officers set out together on a canoe and portage journey in the wilderness of Algonquin.

The program was placed on pause in 2018 because the officers who facilitated the program had retired. Following the COVID pandemic, Detective Constable Glanfield re-initiated the program in 2023, recognizing the positive impact the program had on the community as well as the officers. He was required to re-build the program from the ground up and re-form relationships with vendors as well as community partners. 

Detective Constable Glanfield spends 60-70 volunteer hours the week prior to the trip, arranging rental vehicles, loading equipment, and completing all the shopping and food preparation.

During the trip, the group works together from sunrise to sunset. Detective Constable Glanfield consistently ensures everyone is well fed, items stay organized, and that jobs are distributed throughout the day. Upon completion of the trip, he devotes 30-40 volunteer hours of post-trip work (returning the vans, sorting and drying out all the gear to be neatly organized and stored for the winter, completing financial reports, post trip surveys, and updating social media, etc.).

Detective Constable Glanfield’s compassion, dedication, inclusivity, professionalism and collaboration demonstrates policing excellence, as well as commitment to community safety and well-being. The OACP and General Motors OnStar Canada are proud to honour Detective Constable Robert Glanfield as a true hero beyond the badge!

Quotes:

"Detective Constable Robert Glanfield exemplifies what it means to be a Hero Beyond the Badge. His passion, leadership, and countless volunteer hours have reignited a program that leaves a lasting impact on both youth and officers alike. We are proud to honour Detective Constable Glanfield for his service and dedication that truly goes beyond the badge."

Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie

President, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police

“I am incredibly proud to recognize the outstanding contribution of Constable Rob Glanfield whose dedication and innovation brought the SWAMPY program to life. This well-deserved award highlights his exceptional commitment to youth engagement and community safety. Congratulations on this achievement.”

Chief Frank Bergen

Hamilton Police Service

“At General Motors, we believe that true safety extends beyond the road, reaching our communities. OnStar is committed to providing safety and security services to its members as well as empowering communities. We are proud to recognize Detective Constable Robert Glanfield for his commitment to the Streets to Wilderness Algonquin Mentoring Program (SWAMPY). His dedication and hard work in fostering meaningful connections between police officers and youth plays a crucial role in building trust and strengthening communities. Through programs like SWAMPY, DC Glanfield is creating a safer, stronger future where every young person feels supported and every community thrives. We are honoured to congratulate DC Glanfield on receiving the Heroes Beyond the Badge recognition for his exceptional service and commitment to the youth in his community.”

Charlene Poranganel

General Motors Public Safety Engagement Lead

OnStar has worked with First Responders for more than 20 years to help keep our communities safe, whether it’s a crash, a vehicle theft, or a crisis situation, OnStar is proud to work with public safety professionals. Together, we help save lives and make a difference in the communities they protect and serve. We celebrate all their efforts, and what they sacrifice to keep us safe every day.

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For more information, contact: 

Dr. José Luís (Joe) Couto
Director of Government Relations & Communications
T. (416) 926-0424 ext. 22
C. (416) 919-9798
E. media@oacp.ca

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police is the Voice of Ontario’s Police Leaders 

Members of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police serve their communities as the senior police leaders in municipal, regional, provincial , National, and Indigenous police services across Ontario.