OACP Awards For Tech and Training
The Toronto Police Service was recognized with two honours at this year’s Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) awards ceremony on June 24.
The Homicide and Missing Persons Unit Major Case Management (MCM) team was recognized with for Excellence in Information Technology while the Toronto Police College was honoured for Excellence in the Advancement of Equity, Diversity & Inclusivity in Policing.
The award to the MCM team celebrates the team’s groundbreaking work on the TPS Tracker -- a groundbreaking software that gives the Service a clear picture of how major cases are investigated.
Transforming how Canada’s largest municipal police service manages MCM and Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System (ViCLAS) compliance, the custom-built software solution streamlines operations and accountability across the Service.
“The TPS Tracker is a sophisticated platform that scans Records Management data codes hourly,” said Detective Sergeant Jason Shankaran, who led the project.
Key features include service-wide ViCLAS submission tracking, a ‘Measurables’ section for MCM compliance and robust reporting tools tailored to manage the Service’s high case volume.
“This tool quantifies MCM compliance in a way that was previously impossible, providing major case managers and senior Command with clear oversight of command roles, chronologies and multi-jurisdictional efforts,” said Shankaran. “The TPS tracker will deliver data-driven clarity on what was done, when and why.”
Homicide and Missing Persons Unit Unit Commander Inspector Ted Lioumanis said the software solution is a game-changer.
“This will ensure compliance and administrative accountability with MCM legislation and within our organization when it comes to major case investigations,” he said. “It will also enhance public safety through investigative linkages. I want to thank the team for their innovation, commitment and dedication to this project. This is another example of the Toronto Police Service being world leaders in policing.”
Shankaran is already speaking with other policing agencies about harnessing the software.
“By integrating tracking, reporting and compliance into a modern interface, the team has enhanced administrative accountability and public safety in ways the public rarely sees, but every officer can appreciate. The tool is a win for all of us.”
MCM Constables Stacey Dewsnap and Doreen Molyneaux worked through the software portion of the project along with the TPS Information Technology Services Project Lead Angela Maron and Petra Serban who worked with the software team from Covalence Consulting Inc. as well as Lakhbir Sian and Noorldeen Abdallah assisted with the seamless coordination.
The four-year project was completed on time and on budget.
The OACP also recognized new training launched last year.
The Toronto Police College launched two pioneering e-learning courses – Foundations of Islam and Addressing Islamophobia and Foundations of Judaism and Understanding Antisemitism. These first-of-their-kind programs within the Canadian policing sector reflect the TPS’s deep commitment to fostering inclusion, cultural competence and human rights awareness across its ranks.
“I am extremely proud of the outstanding work by our content creators, e-learning designers and curriculum specialists, who collaborated with community and education experts to develop these two vital training modules,” said Inspector Paul Rinkoff. “This first-of-its-kind training enhances our members’ ability to serve the community in a culturally informed, respectful and inclusive manner.”
The courses were co-developed in collaboration with community organizations, the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies, subject matter experts and equity and human rights training professionals.
Rooted in lived experiences, the curriculum promotes empathy, reflection and actionable knowledge to help officers recognize personal biases, understand the impact of hate and discrimination, and engage more respectfully with all members of the public.
Designed with frontline policing realities in mind, the modules equip officers with essential cultural and legal knowledge underpinned by frameworks such as the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. They prepare officers to respond professionally and sensitively in high-pressure, complex situations—supporting safer and more respectful interactions on the job.
Since their release, the courses have been completed more than 13,000 times by TPS members, demonstrating a remarkable level of engagement. Recognizing the courses’ national impact, the Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN) has partnered with TPS to distribute the training to 176 police services across Canada in both English and French. The program has also garnered attention from the Federal Government of Canada and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, highlighting its global relevance.
“This is well deserved recognition for the College’s leadership in building a more inclusive, informed and community-focused policing environment,” said OACP Director of Government Relations & Communications Joe Couto.
