Winners >Constables Randy Huisman, Tim Korchinski and Grant Obst

Honourable Mention

Constables Randy Huisman, Tim Korchinski and Grant Obst
Saskatoon Police Service

Constables Randy Huisman, Tim Korchinski and Grant Obst, members of the Saskatoon Police Service, have developed an innovative approach to dealing with youth in their city involved in the sex trade.  Operation Help, an innovative, non-traditional, inter-agency outreach, seeks to make a difference in the lives and behaviour of these young people.  It uses a focussed, co-ordinated approach to provide support from various community agencies.  The Constables were able to break down barriers and stereotypes held by these young, mostly aboriginal, women and work in partnership with them.

Through Operation Help, a "Support Circle", comprised of a representative from each of the involved community agencies, comes together to create an environment of support and encouragement for the young person.  The Support Circle, convened the same night a youth is apprehended by police, provides timely support and encouragement to the youth.  Operation Help seeks to reduce the re-arrest cycle; promote confidence and self-worth; emphasize rehabilitation not criminalization; deal with root social problems; and promote positive lifestyle changes.

The success of this project has encouraged these constables to pursue new youth-based initiatives with the support of outreach workers, elders, the Saskatoon Police Service, Legal Aid and Aboriginal court workers.

Contact persons:

Constable Randy Huisman 306-975-2376 Constable Tim Korchinski 306-975-8199 Constable Grant Obst 306-975-2377