Winners >Constables Dan Lewis, Mike MacDonald, Wayne Pendergast and Tom Ripley

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Constables Dan Lewis, Mike MacDonald, Wayne Pendergast and Tom Ripley
Cape Breton Regional Police Service
Sydney, Nova Scotia

Youth division officers of the Cape Breton Regional Police Service have promoted the elements of restorative justice through their participation in The Island Community Justice Society. This agency often works with youth who have committed offences, and seeks to make youth accountable for their actions in a meaningful way through counseling and mediation sessions. Committee members also strive to repair the harm done by facilitating sentencing circles, which are similar to community justice forums, and also include formal roles for the referring judge and other members of the formal justice system. Other available services include educational workshops for troubled youth that deal with topics such as victim empathy, anger awareness and management, alcohol and drug abuse awareness.

Until 1999, the Island Community Justice Society was known as the Island Alternative Measures Society. For 13 years, it functioned as an agency offering community-based resolutions and out-of-court hearings to first-time offenders. In 1999, the agency took on the role of community justice committee as it expanded to include various partnerships within the provincial justice system. The committee now has more than 120 community volunteers and is offered in partnership with Nova Scotia's Restorative Justice program.

Sylvia Dearing, director of the Island Community Justice Society, nominated the police service for playing a key role in ensuring the success of the committee.

Contact person: Constable Dan Lewis, Constable Mike MacDonald, Constable Wayne Pendergast, or Constable Tom Ripley
(902) 563-5095