Acting Detective Staff Sergeant June Dobson, Ontario Provincial Police

The co-winner of the Award for Excellence in Performance is a native of Maritime Canada. This 13-year officer is known internationally for her expertise in domestic violence, sexual assault and children who witness violence. She has been an instructor at the Ontario Police College and has spoken on numerous occasions to all varieties of groups on domestic violence. She is well respected and considered an expert in her field. The sensitivity she shows, the thoroughness of her investigations and the commitment to see something through to its end, at any cost have earned this officer many accolades. She has committed hundreds of hours of her own time to her profession often keeping in touch with victims long after her work is complete with them. In one case a mother of a young assault victim was concerned for her daughter when her attacker was due to be released from jail. The officer drove two hours from her current assignment to spend a day with the little girl sharing stories, playing catch and having dinner at MacDonald's. When the visit was over she have the girl an OPP

L to R: Al Monteath, Dye and Durham, Acting Detective Staff Sergeant June Dobson, Ontario Provincial Police, Commissioner Gwen Boniface, Ontario Provincial Police

protector bear and explained that the bear would help with her bad dreams. The very next day the girl's mother calledto thank the officer for making her daughter "beam again" and for making a difference in her young life. Our nominee has developed and implemented numerous innovative programs and projects throughout her career including the use of video to interview victms of domestic violence; developing training for correctional officers with respect to abuse of female inmates; initiating a program with Zellers where abused children would receive a stuffed toy; development of training videos and working on the implementation of the new Domestic Violence Protection Act. She is an action-oriented person who doesn't quit until the job is done. She is thorough and approaches any task as a challenge waiting to be mastered. The letters of commendation in her file come from all areas of police, the justice system and most importantly victims. As one victim wrote, "...she showed her belief in me, her trust and concern in my personal well-being"..."without her strength, commitment and support I would not have been strong, committed or brave enough"..."I feel with all our society's negative issues and crisis it is surely a godsend to have you out there". The 2003 co-winner of the Award for Excellence in Performance is Acting Detective Staff Sergeant June Dobson of the Ontario Provincial Police.