A member of the Sarnia Police Service (SPS) is being praised for creating a positive community impact at Aamjiwnaang First Nation.
Cst. Tyler Callander received the Heroes Beyond the Badge award, presented by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and OnStar, during a ceremony on Monday at Maawn Doosh Gumig Community and Youth Centre.
Callander, who joined the SPS in 2009, was selected as the first Aamjiwnaang Community Police Officer in the spring of 2023.
As a non-Indigenous person, Callander said he felt a little intimidated to start the new role but is thankful for how the community embraced him and his family.
"The root of signing up for policing is you want to help, and I found a different way to do that, as well as building great relationships," said Callander during his speech. "Relationships are a two-way street. I can sit here and be the nicest guy in the world, but if it wasn't for the Aamjiwnaang community embracing me the way that they have, this wouldn't be possible."
Aamjiwnaang First Nation Chief Janelle Nahmabin commended Callander for always making himself available to community members.
"You've changed the way that many of us here at Aamjiwnaang view Sarnia police," Nahmabin said.
OACP Director of Strategic Initiatives, Research, and Corporate Communications Dr. Joe Couto said the award is meant to recognize officers who go above the job description and have support from their policing service and community.
"He (Callander) really stood out because it was obvious that his commitment to this community, particularly the First Nations people here, is outstanding. All we heard was impact, impact, impact," said Couto. "He's making a difference and that's what we really look for, police officers who are not just doing the job, but going beyond that job to make a real, discernible, positive change."
Couto said the OACP received about 45 applications for the award.
Interim SPS Chief Mike Federico congratulated Callander and recognized the important role police have when it comes to Truth and Reconciliation.
"Reconciliation cannot be defined by symbolic words alone, it must be an ongoing act of practice," Federico said. "Cst. Callander's contributions and commitment to Aamjiwnaang have helped make sure the SPS remains sensitive to the importance of Indigenous perspectives in our approach to our mandate."
Aside from policing, SPS Deputy Chief Michael Van Sickle said Callander is an active member of the community, coaching various hockey teams and supporting his two young children.
Born and raised in Sarnia, Callander is a second-generation police officer, following in his father's footsteps.
SPS Board Vice Chair Anne Marie Gillis, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, MPP Bob Bailey, and MP Marilyn Gladu were also among the speakers during Monday's award presentation.
