School Resource Officer Award of Excellence, OACP
The School Resource Officer Award of Excellence was designed to recognize an officer contributing to the overall well-being of students and their community, building relationships that bridge the gap between students, schools, communities and police. Ontario Provincial Police Constable Andrew MacDonald is the officer recognized in 2017 for his creative and innovative work with students in the Orillia area.
Focusing on specific needs he observed among students, he has developed initiatives that serve to improve the self-esteem and self-worth young people. These programs include an after school/lunchtime basketball league to build relationships between police officers and students; the Orillia OPP Fishing Club, involving at-risk youth and fishing conservation education; a Graffiti Art Contest positively supporting youth involved in vandalism, building crime prevention bridges with the community; a Book Exchange to increase literacy and the reconstruction of a fatal car collision at a high school to educate on the consequences of drug/alcohol/distracted driving and the impact on the community.
Constable MacDonald has demonstrated his commitment to building relationships with students, their parents and community through countless activities and initiatives.
Steve Sanderson attended the OACP AGM to present this award to Constable MacDonald.