Department of Justice
www.justice.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
The Winner
Constable Max Morin
RCMP, Ahousaht Satellite Detachment
Constable Max Morin is a dedicated RCMP officer who has served his entire career of twenty-one years in isolated areas. He is currently posted at the RCMP Satellite Detachment in Ahousaht, British Columbia. The Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award for 2001 is awarded to Constable Morin to honour his success in building trusting and respectful relationships with young people in trouble with the law that has helped them turn their lives around.
Constable Morin has shown imaginative leadership in starting and supporting a number of innovative projects involving native youth. These have included educational field trips, encouraging careers in law enforcement, active participation in healing circles, and discussions involving young offenders, victims and families. For example, in August of 2001, Constable Morin and three adult chaperones will take fourteen youth on a week-long journey to the Nekaneet First Nation in Saskatchewan to participate in a four day Traditional Healing and Medicines Gathering.
As part of his work, Constable Morin has worked hard to raise the self-esteem of young people in his community, through frequent visits to their homes and by making time for youth whenever they drop by his office. As one community member noted, "He fosters respect with these young adults, reminding them in turn to respect those people around them. This enables them to better reflect on our community's societal values."
An important element in his work involves the creation of active partnerships with other community-based resources. In this role, he frequently works with counsellors and youth, and native care workers employed by the Ahousaht Holistic Centre. He also has excellent relationships with Band counsellors, elders and hereditary chiefs. Their support is vital to his alternative justice projects. Family circles, talking circles, and circle sentencing are just some of the options which Constable Morin has used as an alternative to the court system.
Constable Morin leads by example and is an excellent role model for young people. His approach is based on genuine respect for all members of the community and he participates fully in all aspects of village life. He has created a safe environment for youth where they can share their feelings in the presence of their families. This has been particularly important in developing constructive discussions among offending youth, victims, and the community.
Other initiatives well beyond the scope of normal police duties demonstrate the extent of Constable Morin's commitment to the community. He has shared his love of art through the establishment of a local artists' group and worked with a number of youth in the area of First Nations culture and spirituality. He also has encouraged young people who have gotten in trouble with the law to talk about their experiences at school with the message, "It's not cool to break the law."
Finally, he shows his solidarity with the community through his frequent participation in sweat lodge ceremonies.
Throughout his career, Constable Morin has worked to give young people in trouble with the law a sense of identity and pride. And this has produced excellent results as shown by the fact that many young people have come to realize the importance of respect for themselves, their culture, and the feelings of other people.
Contact person:
Constable Max Morin
250-670-9612
