Premier Binns made the presentation today at a ceremony held at Government House and attended by Lieutenant Governor Barbara Hagerman and Nelson Hagerman, as well as Attorney General Mildred Dover and numerous past award winners. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Provincial Crime Prevention Awards and the theme “celebrating people making a difference” was evident throughout the event.

“It is important that we honour those who work to ensure public safety and prevent crime in our communities,” Premier Binns told the past award recipients attending the ceremony. “We can see, through your example, that individual Islanders do make a difference and can make our communities safer and healthier places for everyone.”

The Canadian Association of Chief's of Police has recognized that public safety requires a comprehensive response, including law enforcement, crime control and crime prevention in all its forms. Premier Binns said Sergeant Thibault has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help prevent crime in Prince Edward Island.

“Because his commitment and his work has made a difference in all these areas, Sergeant Richard Thibault is most deserving of this award,” he added.

BACKGROUNDER

Sergeant Richard Thibault, recipient of the 2006 Crime Prevention Award, has brought both energy and expertise to various initiatives, roles and responsibilities. He has inspired many people with his vision and commitment and is well respected by community members who have worked closely with him on crime prevention initiatives.

Sergeant Thibault has been a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for 25 years. He came to Prince Edward Island as a new recruit in 1982, and became a familiar face to many through his work in Island communities and on numerous committees and in his role as a media spokesperson for the local RCMP.

June 1982: Following his training/graduation at Depot in Regina, he arrived at RCMP Charlottetown Detachment as a Recruit with general policing duties.

1984-1988: Alberton Detachment, general duties

1988-1992: Charlottetown Detachment, general duties/traffic

1992-1993: Delson, Quebec, Aboriginal Policing

1993-1996: Regina, Saskatchewan, Driving Instructor, RCMP Training Academy

1996-1999: Montague Detachment, Supervisor

1999-2004: PEI Headquarters, Community Services/Media Relations Coordinator

2004-2005: Kings District (Montague), Operations Supervisor/Acting District Commander

2006: PEI Headquarters, Community Services/Media Relations Coordinator

October 2006: Atlantic Region Field Coach Coordinator, located at PEI Headquarters

Sergeant Thibault, has gone on two peacekeeping missions: Haiti in 1997 and Jordan in 2005. In Jordan, he worked on a team tasked with providing police training, teaching skills, building partnerships and helping Iraq build a national civilian police force that meets international standards.

He has been actively involved with youth, family violence prevention and Aboriginal policing priorities and has made valuable contributions through the Prince Edward Island Joint Management Committee. He has played an active role in Crime Stoppers and the Community Mobilization Program.