Norfolk County honours police education team

The PROSE writing team won this year’s OJEN Chief Justice Award. From left: Const. Kelsie Annaert, Const. Abigail Whitenect, Const. Andrew Gamble, Geoffrey B. Morawetz, Michael H. Tulloch, Jeremy Morton, Sharon M. Nicklas, Inspector Andy Tait, Meghan Cameron, Karen Edgar, Staff Sergeant Tom Hutton, Jason Hall, Chief Jason Saunders, JoAnna Roberto, and Lisa Munro.

Luke Edwards

Grant Haven Media

As a son of two educators, the school system has always had special importance for Const. Andrew Gamble. But his own life journey took him in a different path as he entered the world of law enforcement.

However, as fate would have it, that career has brought him back into the classroom, and ultimately led him and his PROSE writing team to win provincial recognition as the most recent recipients of the Ontario Justice Education Network’s Chief Justice Award. The team was honoured by Norfolk County council at its Dec. 16 meeting.

“This recognition carries special significance,” Gamble said at the meeting, referring to his two educator parents.

The constable said he still has people who share fond memories of their times under the tutelage of his parents.

A collaboration of the Grand Erie District School Board, Brantford Police Service and OPP detachments in Brant County, Norfolk and Haldimand, the Police Resource Outreach Supporting Education team developed modules for eight courses for kids in Grade 9 through 12. It covers topics like consent, Internet safety, technology, exploitation, restorative justice and the role of police in the justice system.

Mayor Amy Martin credited Gamble with being a driving force behind the project.

“His leadership in promoting justice education and fostering dialogue in the schools reflects the strengths and collaboration between policing and education,” she said.

Gamble called being part of the program “one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.”

Established by the three chief justices of the Court of Appeal, Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice, the award is meant to honour those who make “an exceptional contribution in promoting public understanding, education and dialogue in support of a responsive and inclusive justice system,” according to the OJEN website.

JoAnna Roberto, director of education at the GEDSB, said the positive results of the program are largely a result of its collaborative nature. “The expertise is very rich in the classroom, and it’s an ability to establish a really strong relationship, not only in school, in the hallways, but also in the community,” she said.