Members of Halton Regional Police are up for two Police Services Hero of the Year Awards.
Officers Don Flanagan and Jovi Minic are nominated for the Community Role Model award while civilian member Mike Duhacek is up for the Police Hero Honour Roll.
The awards, now in their 10th year, are presented by the Police Association of Ontario.
Flanagan and Minic are nominated for their mentorship program dedicated to inspiring the next generation of first responders. The program is designed to give students in-depth exposure to careers in policing, corrections, firefighting and emergency medical service.
The program not only allows students to learn about the different professions, but also gives them a chance to build relationships with mentors who are invested in their success.
"Their dedication to fostering the next generation of first responders through an innovative mentorship program has made a profound impact on students in our community,” said the officers’ nomination. “These officers go above and beyond their regular duties to ensure each student feels supported and empowered to make informed career decisions.”
The program uses an immersive learning approach. Flanagan and Minic co-ordinate with other emergency services to take part in practical learning scenarios. As an example, students work with fire departments at a local training facility, and wearing full gear, navigate their way through a burning building scenario to locate a simulated victim.
The program culminates each semester with a simulated court case based on a real-life scenario. Students take on various roles to learn about the judicial process in an actual courtroom.
The unique initiative has inspired many students to pursue a career as a first responder. The program also serves as a co-operative education experience with students earning two high school credits.
“Their innovative approach to career exploration, combined with their passion for supporting young people, has created an invaluable opportunity that continues to change lives,” their nomination says. “Their impact extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the future of first responder professions while fostering trust and collaboration between youth and law enforcement.”
Also nominated this year is Duhacek for the Police Hero Honour Roll.
Duhacek founded Help Me Bury Cancer in 2012 and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer charities. Among his fundraising efforts were dragging a 125-pound sled for 918 km through Ontario in the middle of winter, pulling a 212-pound snowmobile sled with the word 'cancer' on it (carved from a Canadian pine tree) from Georgian Bay to Lake Ontario, and running 31 half marathons in 31 days.
Duhacek has spoken to tens of thousands of students, motivating them to do their best in any situation. He comforted children with cancer, children who have lost parents to cancer and parents who have lost children.
Duhacek, a full-time civilian member of Halton Regional Police for 26 years, has been the Canadian ambassador to Cops for Cancer several times.
Police Services Hero of the Year award winners will be announced on May 29.