Airdrie RCMP Community Resource Officer David Henry has been selected as Alberta’s Youth Officer of the Year by Alberta Association of School Resource Officers (AASRO).
Henry was nominated while he was stationed in St. Albert as a school resource officer from September 2008 until July 2010. He transferred to Airdrie in the summer of 2010.
“I am a little overwhelmed, there are so many officers doing a good job and this is an honour and privilege. It is humbling,” said Henry.
“To me, the award is great but it is the kids that deserve the recognition for trusting me and letting me into their lives.”
Henry was nominated for his exceptional commitment to youths and his involvement in school events. He attended multiple field trips with the school band, the outdoor club, high-risk student groups and various other school organizations. He was nominated for this award in part for his cutting-edge use of technology. He received, on average, 600 to 900 text messages from students and parents each month and also had a Facebook page with close to 600 “friends” linked to it.
“Kids find it nice and easier to ask questions in private,” said Henry, 40.
“I can listen and give advice and they don’t have to worry about whether I am going to charge them. I can help them instead of hold these things against them. One hour of work before the student gets into trouble can save the community tons of money and the police a lot of work.”
Henry’s work involves assisting in locating missing youths, stopping fights, helping youths interact with their parents and other policing needs.
“I focus on high school and try to identify with the kids,” he said.
“I hang out with them, get to know them and gain their trust so that maybe they will think twice when that criminal opportunity comes up.
These are our future leaders and if I want them to be competent and compassionate, I have to show them respect and gain theirs. I try to be a positive influence when they need one.”
Henry listed drugs, violence and bullying as the biggest youth issues in Airdrie.
“The kids have taught me a lot about the issues they face and the problems they have had in their past. I have a lot of respect for them,” he said.
Henry said he hopes his experience with high school students in Airdrie will help him in raising his two children, ages seven and nine.
“I love the community. It is half the size of St. Albert and closer to the size of the town I grew up in - High Level. I like the small town feel where people take care of each other. My goal for Airdrie is to leave it a better place than when I got here.”
Henry received a plaque and a $500 bursary to the charity of his choice. In honour of the residents who nominated him, Henry chose Bellerose Composite High School in St. Albert.
Henry was so well known and appreciated by St. Albert, that the citizens created a petition requesting he not be transferred.
“I laughed about that,” he said.
“They knew it couldn’t keep me in the community but they wanted to express what I meant to them. It was humbling and rewarding. It makes it worth while to know that something I said may have kept them out of the court system.”
Henry was presented with the award during the provincial ASSRO conference in Edmonton held from Nov. 7 to 9.
