Meet the Next Durham Chief for a Day: Abrielle

Chief Paul Martin surprised students at École élémentaire catholique Corpus-Christi in Oshawa when he walked into their assembly this morning. He was there to make a very important announcement: the 2019 Chief for a Day is Grade 5 student Abrielle Sawyer-Denis.

Abrielle was one of 11 finalists from across the region who read their essays last week for the annual Chief for a Day contest. The judging panel comprised Chief Paul Martin, D/Cst. Colin Goodwin from the Durham Regional Police Association, Bill Clancy representing the Police Services Board, as well as Devann Pace-Bonello from Scotiabank, and Mo Pringle, Peter Apostolopoulos, Bob Pinkney and Nancy Shaw from the Police Appreciation Dinner and Awards Night (PADAN) committee.

Abrielle delivered her essay with compassion and confidence, outlining what she would do if she was a Police Chief for a Day. “I want to protect out community and people that live in it. I want to give our people a voice and keep them away from danger. Everyone should feel safe and secure no matter which race, religion, gender expression, gender identity or background they are.”

Abrielle is the first winner of this contest from the Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (French Catholic school board). She will be fitted for her own DRPS uniform and perform her duties on October 22, which includes a tour of various police divisions and units. She will also deliver her speech at the annual Police Appreciation Dinner and Awards Night on October 24.

The other finalists were:

  1. Suwathi Thevalingham (Charles Bowman PS, Bowmanville);
  2. TJ Jan Angel (St Joseph Catholic School, Oshawa);
  3. Avni Jain (William Dunbar Public School, Pickering);
  4. Madison Bayer (St. Leo Catholic School, Brooklin);
  5. Zaynab Ali (Eagle Ridge Public School, Ajax);
  6. Alana Montecinos (St. Catherine Siena Catholic School, Ajax);
  7. Kaileb McCaughly (St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Bowmanville);
  8. Chulsa Eugene (Clara Hughes Public School, Oshawa);
  9. Peyton Tebo (Chris Hadfield Public School, Brooklin) and
  10. Addison McKenzie (Cartwright Central Public School, Blackstock)

All finalists did an outstanding job presenting their essays and are excellent representatives for their schools.

DRP congratulates all the finalists and our new Chief for a Day Abrielle!

11 finalists for DRPS ‘Chief For a Day’ contest

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