Celebrating Alberta’s local heroes

Held every two years, the Alberta Community Justice Awards shine a spotlight on unsung heroes including individuals, teams and organizations working tirelessly to prevent crime and make Alberta safer and more resilient. From police officers and lawyers to victim advocates and youth volunteers, the awards celebrate Albertans whose leadership and service saves lives and strengthens communities.

This year, the program has expanded with new categories recognizing those dedicated to offender rehabilitation and emergency preparedness, reflecting the many different ways Albertans can support public safety and recognizing the dedicated individuals and teams striving to build a safer Alberta. Recipients will be honoured this fall at an awards ceremony in Lethbridge co-hosted by Alberta's government, the Lethbridge Police Service and the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce.

"Many people do heroic things quietly and without recognition, and the Alberta Community Justice Awards are a way to show them how much they're appreciated. Through these awards, the government celebrates the everyday leadership of those who make extraordinary contributions to community justice, public safety and emergency management."

"Safe communities are built through collaboration, cooperation and commitment to serving others. These awards highlight the incredible work being done across the province to prevent and address crime, and to strengthen trust in the system by ensuring Albertans have access to timely and effective justice, which is a government priority."

This year's Alberta Community Justice Awards will feature five nomination categories:

• The Enhancing Access to Justice Award recognizes individuals whose work makes the justice system easier to reach, understand or use by removing barriers to support and services.
• The Representing and Assisting Victims Award honours those who help ensure victims of crime get compassionate support and representation.
• The Responding to and Preventing Crime and Violence Award celebrates initiatives that proactively reduce crime and violence through education, community engagement, environmental design and strategic partnerships.
• The Advancing Offender Rehabilitation and Reintegration Award highlights programs or services that support accountability, healing and safe reintegration into communities.
• The Supporting Disaster Readiness and Community Resilience Award acknowledges efforts that help communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters and emergencies.

Albertans can nominate a deserving individual, team or organization for a Community Justice Award by filling out the nomination form and submitting it to [email protected] by noon on June 30.