Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence
Each fall Dalhousie University's Police Leadership Program will announce the winner of the annual Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence. The award will be presented to the municipal police officer who, in the past academic year, has achieved the highest overall average in a concentration certificate. Certificates earned can be in either administration, supervisory skills, service delivery or law and justice.
This award represents the attributes, ethics and self-confidence Sgt. Bruce MacPhail demonstrated in his own personal life to attain personal and professional success. The award was established in 2001 by Phyllis MacPhail in memory of her son, and commemorates his dedication to life-long learning in the field of law enforcement. Sgt. MacPhail completed the Certificate in Police Leadership, Supervisory Skills in 2000 and was the first Certified Police Coach in the program.
He began his career with the Amherst Police Department in Nova Scotia, then in 1982 became one of the first police officers with the newly formed Bedford Town Police. He continued on with Halifax Regional Police after amalgamation, eventually heading up their first Auto Theft Unit. His other passion was car racing. He was co-owner of Kartbahn Racing Halifax and Breakers Halifax. He was well known in formula racing circles and was also an honorary member of the Atlantic Sports Car Club. Sgt. Bruce MacPhail passed away in June 2001 after a short and courageous battle with cancer.
Recipients of the award will receive a commemorative plaque, and a $500 cash award. The winner will be notified by staff at the College of Continuing Education, and his/her success will be announced in Blue Line magazine.
Award Winners
Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence - 2011
Deputy Chief Constable Del Manak of the Victoria Police Department is the 2011 recipient of the Sergeant Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence in Dalhousie University’s Police Leadership Program. This award represents the attributes, ethics and self-confidence Sgt. Bruce MacPhail demonstrated in his own personal life to attain personal and professional success. The award was established in 2001 by Phyllis MacPhail in memory of her son, and commemorates his dedication to life-long learning in the field of law enforcement. Sgt. MacPhail worked with the Halifax Regional Police Service and completed the Certificate in Police Leadership, Supervisory Skills in 2000 and was the first Certified Police Coach in the program.
Del started his policing career with the Vancouver Police Department before joining the Victoria Police Department in April 1993. In his twenty-one years of policing, Del has worked in the Patrol Division, Traffic Division, Community Policing Division and Human Resources Division. He has also been a part of several specialty squads and task forces related to plainclothes assignments, property crime and youth crime details.
In 2001, Del was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and worked as a patrol supervisor. In 2004, Del was promoted to an A/Staff Sergeant when he was selected to set-up a regional integrated traffic enforcement unit. The creation of this unit was a provincial initiative and the Greater Victoria region was selected to pilot the program. In 2006, Del was promoted to the rank of Inspector. His Inspector assignments included managing the Human Resources Division and Patrol Division. In 2010, Del was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable and is currently assigned as the Deputy Chief i/c Operations.
Del is married to Nicky and they have two children, Rajan and Kamryn, who provide him with the support and encouragement to accomplish his personal and professional goals. Del is actively involved in minor sports, spending up to ten months each year coaching both his children’s soccer and baseball teams.
Del received his Certificate in Police Leadership in the concentration of Supervisory Skills by completing the Police Leadership and Management Development, Managing Police Performance: Coaching Skills for Police Supervisors and Communication Skills for Police Personnel courses. Del is committed to life-long learning and believes the courses taken at Dalhousie University have been a major part of his professional development. Del’s goal is to graduate from Dalhousie University with an Advanced Police Leadership Certificate.
Congratulations to Deputy Chief Constable Manak!
Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence - 2010
S/Sgt. Katherine Alchorn of the Fredericton Police Force is this year's recipient of the Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence in Dalhousie University's Police Leadership Program.
Kathy graduated from St. Thomas University in Fredericton NB in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in French and Psychology. With a desire to become bilingual, Kathy was accepted into the French squad at the Atlantic Police Academy where she graduated as the Top Academic Cadet in 1985. Prior to being hired by the Fredericton Police Force, Kathy served in Nova Scotia with the Bridgewater Police Force between 1985 and 1989.
In Fredericton, Kathy served in the Patrol Response Division, Crime Prevention Unit and the inaugural Mobile Community Police Section before being promoted to Corporal in 1999 and then Sergeant in 2004 during which time she served as NCO in the Patrol Response Division. In 2005, Kathy transferred to the Criminal Investigation Division as Sergeant in Major Crime and then in 2007 was promoted to S/Sgt where she currently serves as the 2I/C of the Criminal Investigation Division.
In 2005, Kathy was chair of the "Going Home Run" raising money for the New Brunswick Peace Officers Memorial. In 2007, Kathy received approval to host a "Honey I'm Home" one day workshop designed for members and their spouses on understanding and communicating with a police spouse, and was subsequently awarded the Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement "Leadership Award". Kathy is one of eight trained Incident Commanders for the Fredericton Force and also serves as an Aide de Camp for the Lt. Governor for the Province of New Brunswick, His Honour Graydon Nicholas.
Kathy enjoys her time off with her 13 year old son Sidney Phillips thus is an avid football, volleyball and basketball Mom who assisted coaching his grade 8 basketball team in 2010. Kathy enjoys an active lifestyle involving athletics and was inducted into the Oromocto and Area Sports Wall of Fame in 2005 for her contribution as an athlete, coach and official in the sport of Track and Field while growing up in the Town of Oromocto.
Kathy received her Certificate in Police Leadership in the concentration of Law & Justice by completing the Police Leadership and Management Development, Legal Issues in Policing, and Policing and the Law of Human Rights courses. Kathy has also taken Communication Skills for Police Personnel with the goal of one day completing the Advanced Police Leadership Course. Kathy is thankful for these learning opportunities from the Dalhousie Police Leadership program that inspire growth and development in one’s career and personal character.
Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence - 2009
Sgt. Paul Hallett of the Durham Regional Police Service is the 2009 recipient of the Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence in Dalhousie University’s Police Leadership Program.
Before joining the Durham Regional Police in 1999, Paul worked for ten years as a mechanical engineer with General Motors Corporation in Oshawa, Ontario and Rochester, New York. Paul began his policing career with the Uniform Branch in Oshawa, and subsequently held positions in the Criminal Investigation Branch, Intelligence, Major Crime, and General Occurrence Audit. While assigned to the Major Fraud Unit, he regularly spoke at public information sessions to educate citizens about protecting themselves against debit card skimming, identity theft, and mortgage fraud. Paul was also a member of the Major Incident Response Team and had the opportunity to work with the Homicide Unit on several investigations.
In 2007, Paul was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the Professional Standards Unit as an investigator.
Paul's wife Erin and their two sons, Ethan and Benjamin, support and encourage him in his career and in all aspects of his life. Paul volunteers with Scouts Canada and has served over the years as an assistant leader, leader and group committee chairperson in two local Scout groups. He serves as a counselor on the leadership team of his church’s youth program, and was also recently recognized by The Kidney Foundation of Canada for his volunteer efforts. In his spare time he enjoys running, reading, listening to music, and traveling with his family.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University in Flint, Michigan. He undertook the Dalhousie University Police Leadership Program as a way to develop new skills and further his education within a policing-oriented curriculum. Paul completed the Police Leadership Certificate with a concentration in Supervisory Skills and plans to continue in the program, with a goal of completing the Advanced Police Leadership Certificate.
Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence - 2008
S/Sgt. John Van Dyke of the South Simcoe Police Service is this year’s winner of the Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence in Dalhousie University’s Police Leadership Program.
John joined the Bradford Police Force in October 1989 and was assigned to the Uniform Branch. In 1992 it became the Bradford West Gwillimbury Police Service and in 1997 amalgamated with the Innisfil Police Service to become the South Simcoe Police Service. In his nineteen years of policing, John has worked in many areas of the service including Courts, Uniform Patrol, and the Criminal Investigation Branch.
In 2001 he was promoted to sergeant and worked as a patrol supervisor. In 2006 he was promoted to staff sergeant and is currently assigned to the Uniform Branch as a platoon commander.
John is married to Janis and they have two children, Connor & Paige, who provide him with the support and encouragement to accomplish his personal and professional goals. John is actively involved in the greater community and has recently completed a three year term on the board of directors of a local Christian high school. He has also served in a leadership role on his church council. In 2006 and 2008 he joined a H.A.N.D.S (Helping Another Nation Develop Schools) team and traveled to the Dominican Republic where he worked to build new schools for Dominican children.
Since 2001 John has been taking courses in Dalhousie University’s Police Leadership Program and has completed certificates in Service Delivery, Supervisory Skills, and Administration. He is also a graduate of the Ontario Management Development Program at Georgian College in Barrie Ontario.
In his spare time John enjoys reading, sports, traveling and spending time with his family. An avid camper and canoeist, John enjoys spending his summer holidays in the Northern Ontario wilderness.
John is committed to life-long learning and believes the courses taken at Dalhousie have been a major part of his professional development. John has plans to complete his Advanced Police Leadership Certificate at some point in the future.
Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence - 2007
Sgt. Jason Walker of the Calgary Police Service is the sixth annual recipient of the Sergeant Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence in Dalhousie University's Police Leadership Program.
Prior to being hired by the Calgary Police Service in 1997, Jason had been studying in the Fraser Valley while working as a Correctional Officer at Matsqui Institution. Following the completion of recruit training he started his career in the downtown core. In subsequent years Jason was fortunate to have the chance to work with the Mountain Bike Team, the General Investigative Unit, and the Drug Unit. He later served as an officer coach and eventually had the unique opportunity to work undercover in the Priority Crimes Unit before returning to operational duties.
Upon promotion to Sergeant in 2005, Jason was assigned to the Calgary Police Service recruit training section known as the Chief Crowfoot Learning Centre. He is still working at the CCLC and responsible for the supervision of recruit classes and Traffic Law instruction.
Over the last five years Jason has served the community as a supported independent living counselor with non-profit groups such as Closer to Home Community Services and Advocate Resources. Through these organizations Jason has worked as what could be best described as a foster big brother, by providing shelter and guidance to youth that have been removed from their homes by social services. Since starting a family of his own with his wife Candice giving birth to their daughter, Asia, he no longer takes youth into his own home, however he continues to maintain ties and assist those that he has worked with, while seeking new opportunities to serve his community.
As he began teaching recruits he recognized the need to take greater responsibility in furthering his own education. After completing the Police Leadership and Management Development course through Dalhousie, he carried on with courses in coaching, communications, human resources and budgeting. He has since completed two of Dalhousie’s Police Leadership certificates with concentrations in Administration and Supervisory Skills. As a result of these and other internal courses, he has been granted credit for the Senior Police Administration Certificate. As he continues with various educational pursuits it is his intent to carry on with Dalhousie’s program, with the eventual goal of completing the Advanced Police Leadership Certificate.
Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence - 2006
Acting Detective Doug Crippen of the Calgary Police Service is the fifth annual recipient of the Sergeant Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence in the Dalhousie University's Police Leadership Program with a Supervisory Skills focus.
Doug joined the Calgary Police Service in September 2000 after three and a half years with the R.C.M.P. working in communications. Prior to being hired by the Calgary Police Service, Doug was an Auxiliary Constable with the R.C.M.P. for five years.
During his six years with the Calgary Police Service, Doug has worked in Uniform Patrol, Break and Enter Detail and is presently assigned to the General Investigation Unit as an Acting Detective.
Doug believes strongly about bettering the community and volunteers with the Calgary Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program as a "big brother" and is a volunteer bike patroller at Canada Olympic Park.
Doug is a graduate of the University of Calgary and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (minor in psychology), Bachelor of Arts in Geography and holds a certificate in Deviance and Social Control. Recently, Doug returned to the University of Calgary and attained a certificate in General Management.
Doug completed Dalhousie University's Police Leadership Certificate with a concentration in Supervisory Skills by successfully completing Police Leadership and Management Development, Communication Skills for Police Personnel, and Managing Police Performance: Coaching Skills for Police. Presently, Doug is completing Policing the Modern Community and plans to continue in the Dalhousie University Program to attain the Advanced Police Leadership Certificate.
Doug feels that Dalhousie Police Leadership courses are an excellent way to challenge oneself academically and permits police officers an avenue for improvement that focuses on the operational side of policing.
The monetary award will be donated to the United Way of Calgary.
Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence - 2005
S/Sgt. Chris Newton of the London Police Service is the fourth annual winner of the Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence in Dalhousie University's Police Leadership Program.
Chris joined the London Police Service in June 1986 and was assigned to the Uniformed Patrol Branch. During his 19 years with the London Police Service, he has worked in the Criminal Investigation Division, Community Oriented Response Unit, and the Emergency Response Section. He has also completed temporary transfers to the Recruiting and Training Section as a Use of Force/Firearms Instructor, and the Planning and Research Unit to assist in the development of training and procedural manuals.
In 2000 Chris, along with other members of the Emergency Response Section, was awarded the London Police Services Board Citation for Valour and the National Tactical Officers Association Unit Citation for Valour, recognizing their actions during a barricaded gunman/shooting incident that year. Chris is currently assigned to the Emergency Response Section as the section commander.
Chris is married to Susan and they have two children, Curtis and Jenna, who provide him with the support and encouragement to accomplish his personal and professional goals. Chris is actively involved in minor sports, acting as trainer and assistant coach for both hockey and lacrosse teams.
Chris is a graduate of the Law and Security Administration Program at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario. He completed the Police Leadership Certificate with a concentration in Supervisory Skills by successfully completing Police Leadership & Management Development, Communication Skills for Police Personnel, and Managing Police Performance: Coaching Skills for Police. He has found these courses to be valuable to his professional development and would recommend this program to others for inclusion in their development plans.
Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence - 2004
Cpl. Jean Hamm of the RCMP in Richmond, BC is this year's winner of the Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence in Dalhousie University's Police Leadership Program.
Jean joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1989 and was first posted to Jasper, Alberta. During his tenure he completed rotations in both general duty and highway patrol. He served as a volunteer member of Jasper's Family and Community Support Services Board. As a board member, he was instrumental in doubling the local funding available for the nationally recognized Community Outreach Services program. In 2002 Jean was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Commemorative medal for his efforts & leadership in a variety of Jasper's community initiatives.
In 2000 Jean was transferred to White Rock, British Columbia where he was promoted to Corporal. For the next 3 years he remained in general duty as a watch commander. He is presently posted to Richmond Detachment as the NCO i/c of the South Arm Community Police Station. Jean is heavily involved with Richmond's Auxiliary Constable program.
Jean is married to Julie and they have two daughters, Gabrielle and Jillian, who provide him with the support and encouragement needed to achieve his academic and professional success. Jean enjoys spending his spare time scuba diving.
Jean holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario. He has earned a Police Leadership Certificate with a concentration in Supervisory Skills from the College of Continuing Education at Dalhousie University. Jean has also completed the Strategic Human Resource Management for Police Organizations course in the same program. He has found these courses to be instrumental in his professional development and would recommend them to others for inclusion in their personal development plans.
Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence - 2003
S/Sgt. Jill Skinner of the Ottawa Police Service is the second annual recipient of the Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence. Jill attended recruit training at the Ontario Police College in 1981-1982 and has worked in most areas of the Ottawa Police organization including 12 years as a member of Patrol. She received a Board of Commissioners of Police commendation for her actions in arresting a bank robber in 1984. She was promoted to Sergeant in June 1993 and Staff Sergeant in June 2000. She is presently the Staff Sergeant in charge of Sexual Assaults & Child Abuse. She is a trained Hostage Negotiator who coordinates the Crisis Management Negotiation Unit for OPS.
Jill is also the Research & Development representative on the Board of the Canadian Critical Incident Association and has written articles for the Command Post newsletter. She is also a volunteer member of the Critical Incident Stress Management team and is a Workplace & Harassment advisor. She responded to the Swissair tragedy, along with 5 other members of the Ottawa Police CISM team, as a result of which she received a commendation from the RCMP ‘H” Division’s Commander.
She is married to Tony and has 2 children, Meghan & Sean, who provide her with the support and encouragement to accomplish her many goals, both personally and professionally. In her spare time she enjoys golfing with her husband or relaxing with a book.
Jill has completed the Police Leadership Certificate with a concentration in Supervisory Skills by successfully completing Police Leadership & Management Development, Communication Skills for Police and the Managing Police Performance: Coaching Skills for Police Courses. She can attest to the value of these courses and would recommend them to anyone as a means of personal development. Jill is now enrolled in Psychology courses at Carleton University.
Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence - 2002
Sgt. John Burchill graduated in May 2002 with a Certificate in Police Leadership with a concentration in Law and Justice and is the first winner of the Sgt. Bruce MacPhail Award for Academic Excellence.
Sgt. John Burchill is currently assigned to the Legal Counsel Unit of the Winnipeg Police Service. Sgt. Burchill began his policing career in 1987. After working uniform patrol he spent a total of 7 years as a detective in Commercial Crimes and another 10 years in the Major Crimes division.
After completing his studies at Dalhousie University he transferred his credits to Athabasca University where he graduated with distinction in 2005 with a degree in Criminal Justice. Sgt. Burchill was subsequently accepted into the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba. Balancing work, school and the birth of twins in 2007, he graduated from law school in 2010.
Sgt. Burchill is proud of his accomplishments at Dalhousie University where he found the course work challenging but very rewarding as it was specifically designed to meet the needs of today's serving police officer. In addition he found that the quality materials, assignments and feedback given to him by the staff at Dalhousie prepared him well for the rigors of law school.
