Sergeant Noel J. Allard, honoured with national community relations award.
“D” Division RCMP is pleased to announce that Sergeant Noel J. Allard, Shamattawa Detachment, was recently honoured with the Canada IODE (RCMP) Police Community Relations Award.
The IODE Canada is a national women’s charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for deserving individuals, through education support, community service, and citizenship programs.
This national award recognizes Sgt. Allard’s outstanding public service to the community, outside of his official duties. The award is accompanied by a gift of $500 towards further community service.
Since Sgt. Allard and his wife Edna arrived in Shamattawa in October 2008, they have been deeply committed to volunteering in the community. A remote First Nations community of 1100, Shamattawa faces ongoing challenges with alcohol and substance abuse, and youth suicide.
In March 2009 Sgt. Allard and his wife initiated weekly barbecues for the local kids at the RCMP Detachment, aiming to forge a positive RCMP presence in the community. Over the last year Detachment members have made the barbecues a regular weekly event for local kids and their parents every Friday–rain, shine or snow—gaining the attention and support of individuals, businesses and organizations from near and far.
The weekly barbecues have also prompted more community initiatives, involvement, and interaction among the police community and local residents. Many fellow detachment members work tirelessly with Sgt. Allard on initiatives such as building an outdoor rink and organizing a skate and equipment drive, which garnered further participation from RCMP employees, individuals and organizations throughout Manitoba and further afield.
Sgt. Allard is also involved in other youth-oriented initiatives: partnering with the local school to start a breakfast program, and helping to coordinate the Junior Rangers Program in Shamattawa for 12 to 18-year-olds.
The continuing efforts of Sgt. Allard, his wife, and members of the Shamattawa RCMP have noticeably strengthened the Force’s relationship with the community, where many of the youngsters now know RCMP members by name.
Cst. Miles Hiebert
RCMP Media Relations
Tel: (204) 983-8497
