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12 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday March 26, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Halton police chief honoured for improving race relations By Dennis Smith SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER It's official -- Halton police and their chief are considered golden when it comes to working on diversity matters. Chief Gary Crowell was presented with the Gold Medal for Human Rights and Race Relations at a ceremony in Toronto last night. The chief said while he's extremely pleased and honoured to receive the award, he believes that more importantly, it will bring credit to work done by Halton police over a number of years. "It's an individual nomination, but it's really in recognition of the Halton Regional Police Service and our programs and our commitment to diversity and fighting hate crimes," he said in an interview Monday. "There is commitment at all levels." The 37-year policing veteran is a member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Diversity Committee and has taken a leadership role in diversity training and programs with Halton police. "It's an individual nomination, but it's really in recognition of the Halton Regional Police Service and our programs and our commitment to diversity and fighting hate crimes." Halton Regional Police Chief Gary Crowell Some of that training has included diversity training for all officers, assigning a diversity sergeant and having diversity teams. Other initiatives have included Emergency Services Introduction for New Canadians (ESINC), multi-faith support teams, Enhanced Language Training and the Police Ethnic and Cultural Education (PEACE) program. Crowell noted the latter program dates back at least 15 years. "We need to revamp and change it and make it more current and applicable to what the modern issues are," he said. Halton police have also developed and maintained relationships, with ethnic, cultural and diverse groups in the community and partnered with groups like the Halton Multicultural Council. "Because the community is changing, and very rapidly, there's not only a growth in the diversity commitment, but we're also looking at new and innovative programs, ones that will help officers and the community adapt to change," said Crowell. The gold medal is presented annually by the Human Rights and Race Relations Centre to recognize individuals or organizations that curb racism and promote multiculturalism.