Winners >Staff Sergeant Jake Bouwman

Honourable Mentions

Staff Sergeant Jake Bouwman
RCMP, Chilliwack Detachment

In 1994, Staff Sergeant Jake Bouwman noticed that the traditional court system was not always effective in dealing with young offenders and was not helping youth who were on the edge of breaking the law.

In response to this problem, Bouwman started the Sparwood Youth Assistance Program. This B.C. program diverts youth from the traditional court system before charges are laid, and brings the youth, victim, families, friends, and community together to participate in a resolution conference.

The conference allows youth and his or her family to express their feelings and improve relationships within the family, which often results in long-term solutions to the underlying problems that caused the youth to get into trouble in the first place. The victims have also benefited from the conference because it gives them the opportunity to participate in the justice process.

The Sparwood Youth Assistance Program has established a low re-offending rate among youth. The program has served as a model for a number of similar community justice programs throughout the province and the rest of Canada, and several of the programs' creators have benefitted from Bouwman's guidance and expertise.

Contact person:
Staff Sergeant Jake Bouwman
(604) 702-4001