ST. JOHN'S, Aug. 30 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, delegates representing 57,000 Canadian Police Association members have elected Charles Momy as the new CPA President at its Annual General Meeting held in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.
"The CPA has taken important strides in its development and has brought many of our members' issues to federal politicians since 2003", said the new CPA President Charles Momy. "With the prospect of a federal election around the corner, I will extend the CPA's influence over the national agenda and have politicians and Canadians focus on our priorities", he added.
"It has been a long campaign for everyone involved and I would like to thank all delegates who participated in this important democratic process. It is very important that the membership gets involved in the direction this organization is taking," said newly elected CPA President Charles Momy. "I am also thankful for the support I received by members from across the country. I truly appreciate the opportunity they have given me and the confidence that they have showed in my leadership," he added.
Charles Momy is taking over from Tony Cannavino who has been President of the CPA since the former Canadian Police Association and the National Association of Professional Police were brought together under one banner in 2003. Mr. Cannavino had announced in June 2008 that he would not be seeking re-election.
The Canadian Police Association constitution requires that an election be held every three years.
The CPA is the national voice for approximately 57,000 police personnel serving across Canada. Through our 170 member associations, CPA membership includes police personnel serving in police services from Canada's smallest towns and villages as well as those working in our largest municipal cities, provincial police services, members of the RCMP, railway police, and First Nations police associations.
ABOUT CHARLES MOMY
Having worked part time since the age of 15, Charles knew early in life that his career goal was to become a police officer. He set the wheels in motion and attended the Algonquin College "Law and Security" program. Between semesters, he was fortunate enough to work as a Custom and Excise Officer. He was 19 years old. He quickly learned how importantly border control issues impact people.
The creation of a new transitway system in 1983 and the implementation of a Transit Bylaw Enforcement Section provided Charles an opportunity for employment as a transitional stage, gaining experience towards his ultimate career goal. During that time period, he took an interest in employees' rights and joined the executive of the International Canadian Transit Union. In a three-year period, Charles was involved in several grievance matters as well as two strike mandates, serving on behalf of his fellow workers. That was the beginning of a long history in the Union/Association movement.
In 1988, he fulfilled his goal of becoming a police officer and joined the Gloucester Police Force. For the next several years, he worked in a variety of sections including patrol, surveillance and the detective office. In 1994, provincial Bill 143 received Royal Assent, which compelled the amalgamation of three Police Services into one Regional Police Service.
Charles learned valuable lessons throughout the amalgamation process, a process which also incorporated several areas policed by the Ontario Provincial Police. Many of the OPP members entitled to join the then Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Service decided to do so. Unfortunately, the provincial legislation enacting the amalgamation lacked refinement. Although attempts were made to rectify this source of conflict, issues still persist today concerning the manner in which those members were treated at amalgamation. In 2000, the entire region amalgamated into one city, hence the Regional Police Service became once again the Ottawa Police Service.
In 1996, Charles was selected by the RCMP Polygraph School as the new candidate to head the Polygraph Unit. For the next seven years, Charles conducted French and English Polygraph examinations for the RCMP, the OPP, and a number of other Police Services in Ontario as well as Quebec. Having gained a wealth of experience during his career, Charles felt at ease and comfortable working with a variety of police agencies on both sides of the provincial borders.
He eventually became a sought-after lecturer/trainer in the art of interviewing and interrogation skills teaching at the Ontario Police College, Canadian Police College and the Professional Development Centre of his own Police Service.
In 2000, the RCMP requested his assistance to establish a polygraph program in Belgium as well as select its first students to be trained at the Canadian Police College in Ottawa.
During his entire career, he took a keen interest in issues relating to members' rights. In 2003, after being promoted to the rank of sergeant Charles requested to be transferred to patrol in order to mentor young officers. He quickly realized that things had changed dramatically over the years for front line workers. Members' rights were regularly being violated with no apparent action to hold individuals accountable. Following consultation with several members and receiving their support, Charles decided to embark on yet another challenge - running as a candidate for the position of President of the Ottawa Police Association against an incumbent with many years his senior. On December 12, 2003, he received the membership's support and was elected full-time President of the 4th largest municipal Police Association in Canada. Today, the Ottawa Police Association represents just over 1,800 civilian and police members.
Always keenly interested in federal matters, particularly those related to policing issues, Charles took another step forward. In 2005, he stood as a candidate for the position of Director of the Canadian Police Association, sitting on behalf of the Police Association of Ontario, which represents the interests of over 32,000 police and civilian members across the province. In 2007, Charles was acclaimed for another two-year term. Since 2003, the Ottawa Police Association membership, the younger ones and the more senior ones, police and civilian, has continuously supported him. The Board of Directors overwhelmingly supports Charles in his endeavor to become the next CPA President. The OPA Vice President, Steve Boucher, recently stated: "Charles has the qualities of a born leader, which is rare this day and age, he leads by example. A prolific speaker in both official languages, he is passionate about protecting the rights of all police and civilian members working for police services and cares about the communities they serve."
For further information: Pierre Collin, Communications Officer, (613) 231-4168, Cell: (613) 299-6516, pcollin@cpa-acp.ca
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