Winners >Staff Sergeant Scott McLean

CERTIFICATES OF DISTINCTION

Staff Sergeant Scott McLean
Niagara Regional Police Service St.Catharines, Ontario

As a 21-year police veteran, Staff Sergeant Scott McLean has shown a strong commitment to youth justice through his work in a variety of youth-related projects and assignments. One of his major accomplishments includes the creation of a youth justice committee for the communities of Port Colborne and Wainfleet, near St. Catharines, Ontario.

The committee's restorative justice model "fits the small community to a tee," says Staff Sergeant McLean. Since 1999, the committee has been helping troubled youth understand the impact of their offending behaviour by choosing appropriate penalties through consultation and discussion with community members.

The committee's goal is to give youths who have committed minor, non-violent first-time offences a chance to repair the harm done without going to court. Appropriate sanctions can include community service, curfews, restitution or counselling programs.

Through his efforts, Staff Sergeant McLean has proven himself as an important asset to the youth justice committee. He coordinated the interests of the committee with that of the Niagara Regional Police Service, drafted a manual of policies and procedures for the committee, and chose committee volunteers. This program has been so successful that Staff Sergeant McLean was asked to help develop a youth justice committee for the entire Niagara region.

Sergeant McLean has overcome challenges presented to the committee through tact and diplomacy.

Due, in large part, to the efforts and dedication of Staff Sergeant McLean, a program now exists in Port Colborne and Wainfleet allowing the community to make positive changes in the lives of local youth in trouble with the law. "It's nice to see good kids who made some bad choices get that second chance," he says.

Contact person: Staff Sergeant Scott McLean
(905) 688-4111