Police Officers of the Year

Chief Myron Demkiw said the city can always rely on the professional, dedicated and brave members of the Toronto Police Service to be there when they need them most.

“When you call us for help, we show up, no matter who you are, where you are or what you need,” Demkiw said at the 59th annual Police Excellence Awards on April 23 at Hotel X. “We will be there. Some of the members we are celebrating tonight saved people from kidnapping, made important arrests, seized dangerous weapons and worked on initiatives to make sure everyone stays safe.”

The Chief said he is continually amazed by the courage and skill found throughout the organization.

“While most of you would likely say you were just doing your job, these awards are well earned,” he said. “I know that you did not enter public service to receive awards or recognition. You did it because you want to make a difference and because you have a passion for serving and protecting our communities. People rely on you to keep them safe and, day in and day out, you continue to show up.”

Out of 10 stories of policing excellence, Det. Graham Ellis and Detective Constables Ronald Reise, Tyler Hardcastle, Cody McIntosh and Summer Sandford were named Police Officers of the Year, for safely apprehending a man in crisis who attempted to goad the officers into shooting him.

“There are officers doing this same stuff every single day and sometimes it’s recognized and sometimes it’s not,” said Ellis, “We’re lucky to be recognized and are thankful.”

In November 2025, officers responded to a 9-1-1 call from an unknown caller reporting a man had threatened him with a firearm at a gas station.

Detective Ellis and Detective Constable Reise quickly found a man inside the gas station convenience store matching the suspect description and decided to calmly enter the store in an attempt to defuse the situation.

After identifying themselves as police, the suspect quickly backed away and reached toward his waistband in a manner consistent with drawing a firearm and the officers backed off drawing their own guns.

The suspect showing the butt of what appeared to be a black assault-style rifle and then openly displayed the weapon, telling the officers they would have to shoot and kill him.

The officers remained calm and attempted to de-escalate the situation as Ellis slowly made his way to the other side of the store and seized an opportunity to bring the man to the ground to restrain him and secure the weapon, which was later found to be an airsoft rifle.

It was later determined that the man himself had fabricated the incident in an apparent attempt to provoke police into shooting him. He had lost a close family member days earlier and was still in distress.

Toronto Police Service Board member Lisa Kostakis said police officers choose the profession not for recognition, but because it is rooted in public service.

“Policing, as we know it, is not just a job,” she noted. “It is a calling. It is a commitment to building a safer, stronger Toronto for all of us. It is a career defined by responsibility, one that demands resilience, empathy and an unwavering belief in community. And tonight, we get to shine a light on the very best of that calling.”

Kostakis said the stories of the officers nominated are powerful, inspiring and a true reflection of what excellence in policing looks like today.

“We are celebrating individuals who have gone well beyond the call of duty,” she added. “People who demonstrated courage in the face of danger, compassion in moments of crisis and outstanding skill in their work, whether it is investigative, operational or in civilian leadership. And just as our concept of community safety is evolving and modernizing, so too is our concept of excellence in policing. We honour superior investigative skills and incredible bravery, but we also value collaboration. We pay tribute to innovation and we recognize compassion. Each of the stories we have heard tonight fills me—and I know fills all of us—with great pride.”

While officers may say they are simply doing their jobs, Toronto Police Association President Clayton Campbell said the stories shared remind everyone that policing at its best is rooted in compassion, courage and service to others.

“More people need to recognize that true policing is reflected every day in the actions of officers across this city, not just in negative headlines,” he said. “In life’s darkest and most vulnerable moments, members of the Toronto Police Service are there, ready to do what is right despite criticism or doubt. These stories should inspire all of us to be better—not only for ourselves, but in how we support and care for one another.”

Police Excellence Awards Committee Chair Chris Worth said he represented the millions of Torontonians who want to thank police for their service to the community.

"You comprise the very best of what the Service represents," Worth said. "Those in crisis, those in need of a steady hand and those who rely on you to maintain the order of our society, we don't see just a job, we see a lifeline. I'm so honoured to be the voice of so many, to look you in the eye and say simply 'thank you.'"

Two other awards were given on the night.

Community Partnerships and Engagement Unit Constable Isabelle Cotton was given the Business Excellence Award for spearheading a program designed to address root causes of youth vulnerability, including limited access to employment opportunities, job readiness skills and essential certifications.

By leveraging the trust already established by Neighbourhood Community Officers who were already established in their communities, and partnering with organizations such as the Red Cross, the City of Toronto, Covenant House and Toronto Community Housing, Community Connect began delivering tangible results.

Thousands of youths gained certifications in First Aid, food handling, and babysitting, while others received résumé support, interview training, and direct pathways to employment.

The Civilian Excellence Award was given to Senior Communications Advisor Shannon Cartier for leading the development of a public awareness campaign in response to a troubling rise in violent assaults against Parking Enforcement Officers.

Through powerful first-hand accounts, officers shared the physical and emotional toll of these incidents, helping the public better understand the human impact. The campaign also highlighted the essential role PEOs play in maintaining traffic flow, supporting communities, and assisting police operations.

The results were significant. Assaults, which had risen by 17.4% in early 2024 to 27 incidents by mid-July, dropped by 56.5% following the campaign launch, falling to 10 incidents in the latter part of the year.