Named in honour of Reverend Harry Lehotsky, the award recognizes an individual’s efforts to strengthen the community through efforts that directly or indirectly contribute to public safety. Recipients will be nominated by the community.

A nominee’s activities must lead to positive outcomes for public safety at either the neighbourhood or larger community level. The nominee must:

• demonstrate activism which transcends verbal and political advocacy and results in practical and tangible community improvements,
• sustain proven and consistent activism over time,
• live in the area in which he or she is an activist, and
• not be solely sustained by government funding.

A nominee may pursue activism through either volunteerism or a paid position. Nominees may come from any community or neighbourhood in Manitoba. Recipients will be selected by committee and the province will make a donation to the registered safety-related charity of their choice.

• Samantha Gladue has been involved in the youth programs at the Broadway Neighbourhood Centre since 1998. Her involvement has grown from active participation to assisting with such programs as Lighthouses, the Pow Wow Club and the archery club.
• Amanda LeDrew has been assisting crime prevention activities in her community and working with young solvent and substance abusers since 2001. She developed and co-ordinated suitable and effective programming to fit the needs of these children. In 2003, she joined the Thompson Boys and Girls Club and is now the co-ordinator of the Thompson Lighthouses youth program.
• The Selkirk Team for At-risk Teens (START) program’s main objectives are to identify, plan for, intervene and assist at-risk youth in becoming productive members of the community. Started in 2002, it works with youth aged 12 to 17 years. The program’s community partners are the Lord Selkirk School Division, RCMP, child and family services, Probation Services, Interlake Regional Health Authority, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, Service Canada, City of Selkirk, Selkirk Friendship Centre and the RM of St. Clements.
• The Ndinawe Outreach Team began in April of 2003. Working late at night and early into the morning, it offers direct supports and referrals for help to youth. The team works with many organizations including the Winnipeg Police Service, B & L Youth Services, Sage House, Resource Assistance for Youth, MaMawi, North End Community Resource Centre and the Indian Family Centre.
• Julie DerochieRoberts has been a member of the St. John’s Youth Justice Council since September 2001. She contacts young people who have offended to set up appointments, interview them with their parents/guardians, monitor them as they follow through with restitution or other forms of disposition, and contacts victims for statements.
• The Thompson Citizens on Patrol has been active in the community for over 10 years. In addition to regular patrols, they have assisted with searches for missing persons and provided support services to Thompson Fire and Emergency Services during emergencies.
• Tim Maluk was actively involved in establishing the Sand Lake and perimeter area Citizens on Patrol Program in 1998. Tim co-ordinates a group of 40 active patrollers throughout the Sandy Lake area.

• Const. Dallas Lockhart, Brandon Police Service, was the assisting investigator in the Erin Chorney matter. Chorney disappeared in 2002. In 2004, the investigative team solved the crime, charging her ex-boyfriend with murder and recovering her remains. Lockheart’s work is a credit to the Brandon Police Service and helped provide closure for Chorney’s family and the community.
• Const. Francis Gerald Paddock has made many significant contributions to the Brandon Police Service and the community over his 36-year career. A dedicated street cop, he provides advice and leadership to his fellow officers, especially in times of crisis.
• Chief Jack Ewatski has been chief of the Winnipeg Police Service since 1998. He is also the president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the chair of the Canadian Police College Advisory Board. He is an enthusiastic leader, dedicated to representing police interests at the highest levels and pursuing professional development standards for officers.
• Supt. Gord Schumacher has been with the Winnipeg Police Service for 26 years. Currently in charge of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, he is also a lawyer and university professor. He was a substantial contributor to the development of Canada’s national security legislation and has been instrumental in the creation of the national strategy on cross-border policing.
• Sgt. John Burchill has been a member of the Winnipeg Police Service since 1987. He currently works in the Criminal Investigations Branch. He has worked on a number of high-profile investigations including the reinvestigation of the murder of Barbara Stoppel that eventually led to the exoneration of Thomas Sophonow.
• Sgt. Ron Johansson has been with the Winnipeg Police Service for 25 years. He is currently with the Aboriginal and Diversity Unit and is dedicated to ensuring police agencies across the country understand the needs of Canada’s ethnic communities. He was instrumental in the creation and development of the Law Enforcement Aboriginal and Diversity Network (LEAD).
• Auxiliary Const. Mervin Koscielny has been volunteering with the Rossburn RCMP detachment since April 1996. Over the years, he has been involved in a number of interesting matters including an incident where he performed CPR on a young child. He is employed as a resource co-ordinator for the Rossburn and District Senior Services.
• Auxiliary Const. John Lavich is a self-employed contractor who has volunteered with the Spruce Plain/Carberry RCMP detachment as an auxiliary constable for the last 10 years. He is extremely active in his community.

• The North End Women’s Centre Peace Begins at Home project, funded by the Community Mobilization Program, provides families of gang members with supports and skills to prevent, detect and intervene so that children affiliated with gangs are better able to get their needs met outside of gang culture. The centre has been a part of the community for more than 20 years, helping women break cycles of poverty, isolation, violence and dependency to gain control over their lives and achieve independence.