OPP Commissioner Hawkes speaking on campus

Nipissing University welcomes Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner J.V.N (Vince) Hawkes to campus for a special lecture on Thursday, November 17, at 7 p.m. in room R208.

Commissioner Hawkes, who received an honorary degree from Nipissing in 2015, will discuss the OPP’s approach to local, provincial, national and global challenges in modernizing policing. He will provide insight into the OPP’s strategic priorities as they transform operations to meet the service delivery needs for today and the future. Current criminal justice/policing issues such as the cost of policing and community safety and well-being, use of force, public trust, social media, impacts of the cyber world and other issues will be addressed in the discussion.

Hawkes became OPP commissioner in 2014, assuming leadership of one of North America’s largest deployed police services. He oversees frontline policing, traffic and marine operations, emergency response and specialized and multi-jurisdictional investigations throughout the Province of Ontario.

Since joining the OPP in 1984, Commissioner Hawkes has amassed an array of cross command operational policing experience, particularly in frontline service delivery, investigative disciplines and forensic science.

He is a graduate of the University of Ottawa (BSc), and the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, Police Leadership Program.

In 2010, Commissioner Hawkes was invested as an Officer in the Order of Merit of the Police Forces -- a fellowship of honour that recognizes exemplary police service.

In September of 2016, he was elevated in the Order to Commander, the highest level.

This lecture is free of charge and everyone is welcome.