Donna Gilbert - Mentoring

In the world of policing the members of the Internal Affairs unit are responsible for the issues that could make or break the reputation of a police service. Key elements such as security and confidentiality must be safeguarded and held in the highest regard. Supporting the officers that are responsible for this trust are the civilian personnel who gather the information necessary to the investigators.

Donna Gilbert of the Toronto Police Service is in charge of the Information Security Section, the people that IA turn to when they need classified information. Donna is extremely adept in her role safeguarding the information assets of the Toronto Police Service from unauthorized use or disclosure as well as balancing the daily challenges of supervising eight staff.

As one of her co-workers writes, "Donna inspires others by being sincere. She always provides constructive feedback and encourages her staff to challenge themselves, be thorough and give their best effort. Donna elicits our involvement to resolve problems; she values our contributions and shares the outcome. This insight enables us to approach other circumstances with confidence.

Donna volunteers her time freely to offer encouragement, advice and support to anyone who needs her help, both personally and professionally. She has taken the time to assist members of her unit who have been unsuccessful at job interviews to review their competencies, improve their communication skills and build confidence. She genuinely cares for others whether they work directly for her or not. She creates opportunities for her staff to learn about all aspects of policing by arranging job placements, attending courses and taking tours of other areas of the police service.

Donna was elected by her peers to sit on a joint management/association committee dealing with job evaluation for the 2,200 civilian members of the Toronto Police Service. Her constructive feedback provided accurate and insightful analyses for all committee members as they reviewed each position. She represented all civilian members in a fair and unbiased manner earning her high praise from the other committee members.

In the words of Staff Superintendent Rocky Cleveland of the Toronto Police Service , "How does one express a deep trust in someone or a confidence that goes beyond trust? Ms. Gilbert exemplified the term "leading by example". It was she that always set the benchmark for the office. It was her that encouraged and pushed her people to excellence, through her own example. Donna championed on many occasions "the right thing to do". This was done in opposition to many that looked at the most cost effective way to do business.

Always at the forefront was her dedication to the Service and the integrity of the Service records.

Donna Gilbert's loyalty to her co-workers and the Toronto Police Service has earned her the respect of many and the 2002 Ontario Women in Law Enforcement Award for Mentoring.