Chief for a Day Essay Contest Winner
Winner: Carmen Dobszewicz
Congratulations to Carmen Dobszewicz, a Grade 5 student from Prince of Peace Catholic School in Keswick, who is the winner of the annual Chief-for-a-Day contest after delivering her winning essay before a panel of judges. The annual Chief-for-a-Day essay contest is open to all Grade 5 students from the York public and Catholic boards on alternating years. This year, the contest was open to students from 83 schools from the York Catholic District School Board.
Carmen’s essay focused on the many things police do in the community to keep citizens safe. Judges were particularly impressed with her explanation of how the York Regional Police V.I.P. (Values, Influences, and Peers) school program teaches kids to avoid dangerous situations and not get involved in crime.
Carmen’s favourite subjects are social studies, science and physical education. She plays volleyball, basketball, soccer and takes both ballet and jazz classes. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and playing with her friends.
On Tuesday, April 19, 2011, Carmen assumed command of the 2,000 officers and civilian members of York Regional Police.
After being sworn in, she visited our Communications Centre to see how 9-1-1 calls are answered and how police officers are deployed. Next up on the agenda was a visit to the new Central Services Building where she toured the Forensic Identification Unit, visited the Canine Unit and met
the Police Service Dogs, and was introduced to members of the Emergency Response Unit, who showed her our new Tactical Support Vehicle.
Carmen also spoke to a group of Grade 1 students at the Community Safety Village and then returned to her school to tell her classmates what she learned as Chief for a Day.
Carmen will presented her award-winning speech at the 19th Annual Police Appreciation Night.
