Sergeant Myra James, Hamilton Police Service
The Mentoring Award recognizes a woman who provides assistance to other women in law enforcement. She is an inspiration, provides support and opportunity for others and has excellent communications and interpersonal skills. She is approachable, accessible, prepared to give constructive feedback and available for advice and consultation. She encourages networking and supports the advancement of women in the law enforcement profession.

Sergeant Myra James has been a member of the Hamilton Police Service for 17 years. She comes from a strong background of community involvement and mentoring and has won several other awards for her unselfish contributions.

Myra is the sort of person that other women from her police service go to for advice, assistance or just to talk. Her manner is welcoming and friendly and she never hesitates to make anyone she comes in contact with feel special.

Quotes from some of her colleagues and associates are:
  • "Her energy is infectious and she truly stands out as a role model to others."
  • "Mentoring is about developing trust and commitment. It is not exclusively an on-the-job task. We 'mentorees' know that we can call on her anytime, for any reason."
  • "Her energetic, happy, kind, and compassionate nature makes her a constant source of inspiration to women everywhere. There is no doubt she is a one-of-a-kind individual."
  • "She is the most welcoming person I have ever known. She has hosted visitors from far and wide at her home and always makes them feel like family. She remembers to call the lonely, send cards to the sick and emails to everyone to keep them updated and feeling like they haven't been forgotten. She has a gift for making everyone feel important no matter what their status in life. I've never known her to turn down a challenge. When she does something, she always goes that extra mile."
  • "She is one of those people who make things happen. She finds a way, finds the time and finds the resources to implement her plans. Everything she turns her mind to is a success."
While also being a friend and mentor to women from her police service, this nominee is on the Board of the International Association of Women Police and the Ontario Women in Law Enforcement. She is a Rotarian, she mentored at a local high school and she has served on the Board of Directors of the Elizabeth Fry Society.