Desi Today Magazine
CONSTABLE Avneet Dhillon was among the 19 new Vancouver Police Department members who were sworn in on Friday from recruit class 159.
Avneet was born and raised in Surrey. Growing up, he excelled at soccer. He played for a gold level team and trained at a soccer school for elite players. After graduating from Fleetwood Park Secondary with honours, he attended the University of Alberta where he studied science and psychology.
While at the University of Alberta, he assisted his parents with the purchase of a business and obtained a Real Estate license. After obtaining his degree, Avneet continued to work in the family business and began volunteering with the Surrey Crime Prevention Society. Within a few months of volunteering, he was recognized as ‘volunteer of the month’ and promoted to Team Lead. Avneet is fluent in Punjabi.
The others:
Constable Mitra Ardoueiazar
Mitra was born in Tehran and moved to Vancouver with her family when she was nine. She attended Simon Fraser University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology. Mitra has worked with BC Corrections since 2011 and is currently a supervisor and a Use-of-Force Trainer for the Emergency Response Team. While at Corrections, she has been recognized with the BG Robinson Award for her strong work ethic and has received a Commendation for Meritorious Service. Mitra is fluent in Farsi.
Constable Lisa Babcock
Lisa was born in New Westminster and raised in South Surrey, where she graduated from Elgin Park Secondary. Growing up, she excelled at figure skating and subsequently became a volunteer teacher in the Can Skate Canada program. Throughout high school, she volunteered with the SportAbility, BC Sledge Hockey Association. Lisa has a diploma in fashion merchandising. She worked in law as an Administrative Assistant before being hired by the Vancouver Police Department. Lisa has volunteered with the Salvation Army in the Downtown Eastside and as a crisis line support worker at Options Community Services. She currently volunteers with KidSport Canada.
Constable Riley Bowra
Riley was born and raised in Surrey where she attended Fraser Heights Secondary School. She graduated from Simon Fraser University in 2018, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction, and majored in Criminology. Riely also obtained a Certificate in Police Studies. Riley’s passion for policing began when she worked as a front line support worker in Surrey. In her spare time, she has volunteered as a mobile crisis response worker, as a crisis line operator, and with the Big Sisters. Riley is fluent in French.
Constable Jeffrey Ching
Jeff was born in Red Deer, Alberta and raised in Coquitlam. He attended Centennial Secondary where he swam at the provincial level with the Hyack swim team. In 2011, he graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology. Jeff was a call-taker and dispatcher with E-COMM and a member of their Critical Incidents Team. He volunteered with the Crisis Intervention Centre and Suicide Hotline. Jeff speaks Cantonese.
Constable Christina Coburn
Christina was born and raised in the Lower Mainland. She graduated high school with honours and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography and Political Science from the University of Victoria. Christina has a love for the outdoors and has travelled the world to participate in hiking and snowboarding adventures. She has worked with the Canada Border Services Agency since 2009. During her service, Christina was recognized for her quick and selfless response in an active shooter incident at the Douglas Border Crossing. Christina has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal and President’s Citation for Bravery.
Constable Evan Diamantopoulos
Evan was born in Vernon and raised in Surrey where he graduated from Earl Marriott Secondary School. Growing up, Evan excelled in hockey and played at the junior level during the height of his hockey career. After high school, Evan enrolled at the JIBC and obtained a diploma through the Law Enforcement Studies program. He has worked in the security and loss prevention field, and has been recognized by his management team for arrests and recovery of merchandise. Evan has volunteered with the Surrey Crime Prevention Society and the JIBC Police Academy.
Constable Rachael Doherty
Rachael was born in Surrey and graduated from Sullivan Heights Secondary. Growing up, she trained as a dancer and acrobat, performing with the BC Lions, during the 2010 Olympics and with the Cirque Du Soleil in Las Vegas. Rachael attended Kwantlen Polytechnic University where she obtained an Associate of Arts Degree in Criminology. She has travelled the world and explored 25 countries. In 2017, Rachel was hired as a Special Municipal Constable and has worked in all three components of the program: the Traffic Authority, Community Safety Officer and Guard at the Vancouver Jail. She has volunteered with Corrections and Big Sisters.
Constable Brian Haddon
Brian was born and raised in Langley. Growing up, Brian was inspired by his father to pursue a career in policing. In Grade 12, he completed the VPD Student Challenge, which solidified his goal of becoming a police officer. Brian is an accomplished Piper, and has earned scholarships to SFU where he played for their world-renowned Pipe Band. He has competed internationally and also volunteers to teach and mentor younger pipers. Brian has gained valuable police-related experience as a Security Guard, Loss Prevention Officer, a TTC role player, and, more recently, as a Special Municipal Constable for the Vancouver Police Department.
Constable Danton Jung
Danton was born and raised in Vancouver. Focused on becoming a police officer, Danton attended Simon Fraser University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and a Certificate in Police Studies. He also obtained a Crime and Intelligence Certificate from BCIT. Danton has worked in many fields as an advisor and fraud analyst at financial institutions. He has volunteered with the Crisis Centre of BC, South Vancouver Community Policing Centre and the Project 529 Garage bike registry. Danton began his employment with the VPD as a member of the Covert Intercept Unit. He was then hired as a Special Municipal Constable and worked as Traffic Authority and Community Safety Officer, and most recently, as a full-time Jail Guard.
Constable Jason Maharjan
Jason was born in New Westminster and raised in Kelowna where he attended Rutland Senior Secondary School. He graduated in 2007 and received a scholarship to BCIT in the Mechanics Program. Jason completed his training in 2008 and worked in the field a short time before following an interest in personal fitness training. Passionate about a career in policing, in 2016, he began working with the VPD’s Covert Intercept Unit, and was subsequently hired as a Special Municipal Constable. Jason has volunteered as a POPAT coach and with the BC Special Olympics.
Constable Madison McCardell
Madison was born and raised in Tsawwassen. She grew up playing soccer, volleyball, and baseball at competitive levels. After graduating from South Delta Secondary, she attended the University of British Columbia Okanagan. There, she was appointed Health and Social Development Faculty Representative within the Student Union. Madison graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Kinetics. She then followed a long tradition of policing in the McCardell family, and was hired as a Special Municipal Constable in 2017. She worked part-time in all three components before being selected to work for a full-time position at the Vancouver Jail.
Constable Cole Nelson
Cole was born in Richmond and grew up in Squamish and Whistler where he lived an active lifestyle and played a wide variety of sports. His role as Captain of his Junior B hockey team taught Cole valuable life skills such as leadership, teamwork and responsibility. He previously worked in the restaurant and HVAC industries and obtained a diploma in Criminology from Douglas College. Cole has volunteered at the Grandview – Woodland Community Policing Centre and for the last two years has worked as a hockey coach and mentor for the Canuck Autism Network.
Constable Brad Procyshyn
Brad was born in Burnaby and raised in Surrey. He attended Simon Fraser University and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Health Sciences with Dean’s Honours. Brad has worked in the service sector, healthcare, construction, and safety management. In 2017, Brad was hired as a Special Municipal Constable with the VPD, and has since taken on a full-time Jail Guard position. Brad is a fitness enthusiast and has trained in Muay-Thai, Jiu-jitsu, and Police Judo. He has volunteered with Surrey Crime Prevention Society, St. John Ambulance Brigade, and Operation Red Nose.
Constable Katrina Ranger
Katrina Katie was born in Moscow, Russia and at the age of three, moved with her family to the Surrey/White Rock area. As a youth, Katie participated in various sports and martial arts. She played the saxophone in the high school concert and jazz band. In 2018, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia. Katie’s experience in the customer service industry has prepared her for a career with Vancouver Police Department.
Constable Edward Saxton
Edward was born in Germany and grew up in England until the age of 14. He immigrated to Canada with his family in 2004. After graduating from South Delta Secondary, he worked in the grocery and hotel industries and took opportunities to travel the world. In 2013, Ed graduated from BCIT with an Electronics Certificate and joined the Canadian Armed Forces. After basic training he was posted to Construction Engineering in Comox. Ed served one tour of duty in Kuwait, and another in Inuvik, Northwest Territories.
Constable Joelle Sexsmith
Joelle was born in Chilliwack and raised in Salmon Arm. As a youngster Joelle was passionate about schoolwork, sports and music. She graduated high school with honors and attended Okanagan College where she excelled in her studies. She transferred to Trinity Western University to complete her degree in Human Kinetics and graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Joelle’s recent position at Mercy Canada has provided her the opportunity to work with young women struggling with addiction, disorders and abuse issues and has allowed her to acquire essential skills that will assist in her policing career.
Constable Zachariah Wigood-Sinclair
Zach was born and raised in Kitchener, Ontario. In 2010, he graduated from Cameron Heights Secondary, and enrolled at Fanshawe College where he completed a diploma in Police Studies. From 2015 to 2017, Zach worked for Paladin Security as a Mobile and Healthcare Security Officer. In 2017, he was hired by the Vancouver Police Department as a Special Municipal Constable where he gained valuable police-related experience. Zach has volunteered with Project 529, a stolen bike recovery program.
Constable Nicholas Wilkinson
Nicholas was born in Burnaby and raised in Surrey. He graduated from Holy Cross Regional High School and attended Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where he obtained a Certificate in Arts. Nicholas gained relevant work experience with the Paladin Security Group as an acting shift supervisor at the Surrey Memorial Hospital. In 2016, Nicholas was hired as a Special Municipal Constable and worked as a Community Safety Officer and Jail Guard. He has since been an active and respected volunteer with the Surrey Crime Prevention Society.
