Emil Kolb Honoured by Peers

(BRAMPTON) – The Canadian Association of Police Boards (CAPB) announced the creation of the Emil Kolb Award for Excellence in Police Governance at its recent meeting in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The creation of the award is in recognition of Mr. Kolb's dedication and commitment to the betterment of civilian police governance in Canada. It will be presented for the first time at the CAPB's 25th annual meeting to be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia in August 2014.

Mr. Kolb has served as a member of the Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board since 1992, and has been Chair since 1996, each of which is unequalled in Canada.

"Emil is truly a remarkable individual who has devoted almost a quarter century to the advancement of civilian governance of police in Canada," says Ms. Cathy Palmer, President, CAPB. "He is renowned for his knowledge, his leadership and his determination in working with representatives of the Chiefs of Police and the police associations to find meaningful solutions that benefit the entire police sector."

The creation of the award was timed to coincide with Mr. Kolb's stepping down from the CAPB Board after ten years because of mandatory term limits.

"I want to thank the CAPB Board and members for this significant honour," says Mr. Kolb. "While I can no longer serve on the Board of Directors, I intend to remain active and engaged here in Peel and on the national level throughout my tenure."

Mr. Kolb says his priorities remain ensuring police services represent the communities they serve; the building of partnerships to increase community safety and the delivery of professional, effective policing at an affordable cost.

Mr. Kolb says he is pleased that Peel will remain represented by Mr. Laurie Williamson, who was elected to the CAPB Board of Directors at the Saskatoon meeting.

The Canadian Association of Police Boards (CAPB) is the national association for police boards and commissions from a majority of provinces across Canada. Formed in 1989, its members provide governance and oversight of more than 75% of municipal police in Canada. In their role as civilian oversight bodies, police boards appoint and manage the performance of chiefs and deputy chiefs, set policing objectives, establish policies, and generally represent the public interest. The effective governance and oversight of policing in Canada is an important means to ensure that Canada's police services are fully accountable, transparent and enjoy public confidence as they tackle important issues of public safety, social stability and international terror. It is one of the foundations of our democracy.

The Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board is the civilian governance body for the Peel Regional Police, the second largest municipal police service in Ontario and third largest in Canada. It is comprised of seven individuals, three members of the Regional Council of Peel, three provincial appointees, including Mr. Laurie Williamson, and one citizen appointee of Council.

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