South Asian Ali Shiraz among the 26 new Vancouver Police constables

Vancouver Police Department’s Recruit Class 160.
Photo: VPD Chief Adam Palmer’s Twitter

AMONG the 26 new members of the Vancouver Police Department from Recruit Class 160 who were sworn in last Friday was Constable Ali Shirazi.

Ali was born in Mumbai, India, and immigrated with his family to Canada in 2000 due to religious violence. He attended Moscrop Secondary, and upon graduation enrolled in the Justice Institute Emergency and Security Management Program.

In 2016, Ali was hired as a Special Municipal Constable, where he became a valued jail guard entrusted with field training and records officer responsibilities.

He has extensive volunteer experience with the Ismaili Volunteer Corp, as well as other youth programs. Ali is fluent in Hindi and Urdu.

 

The other new constables:

 

CONSTABLE DEAN ALLISON    

Dean was born in Richmond and raised in South Surrey, where he started playing hockey and lacrosse at the age of four. By age 12, Dean had become a lacrosse official, and he is now the head official in Semiahmoo. At 14, Dean began focusing on hockey. He went on to play Junior A hockey in Manitoba as well as collegiate hockey in Calgary, where his leadership skills were awarded with team captaincies. Dean very recently completed his business administration degree at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.

 

CONSTABLE LUCA CAMPESATO
Luca was born and raised in Vicenza, Italy, and immigrated to Vancouver with his family in 2009. He attended Vancouver College and graduated in 2010 with honours. Luca enrolled at Simon Fraser University, where he achieved a bachelor of arts degree in criminology. He volunteered with the Kitsilano-Fairview Community Police Centre before he was hired as a Special Municipal Constable with the Vancouver Police Department. Luca is fluent in Italian and has intermediate knowledge of Spanish.

 

CONSTABLE DENIS CURMAN

Denis was born and raised in Burnaby. He attended Burnaby North Secondary where he excelled in sports and the arts. In 2002, he graduated from BCIT with a Diploma in Technology, majoring in International Trade and Transportation. Denis worked in the logistics field and recently volunteered with the Collingwood Community Policing Centre. He is married and has three kids. Denis speaks Croatian.

 

 

CONSTABLE KATRINA DAUNCEY

Katrina was born in Prince George and moved to Surrey with her family in 1993. She attended Fraser Heights Secondary and upon graduation, the Justice Institute where she obtained a Diploma in Law Enforcement Studies. Katrina’s success in this program was recognized by her instructors when she was selected as the student address for the graduating class. In 2017, Katrina was hired as a Special Municipal Constable with the Vancouver Police Department. She has a passion for hockey and was part of team of volunteers that set a Guinness World Record for playing a ten-day hockey game in support of Cystic Fibrosis research.

 

 

CONSTABLE MARTINA DUMAS

Martina was born in Victoria and later moved to Surrey with her family. Throughout high school she was heavily involved in sports, graduating with honours in 2008 with a soccer scholarship. From 2008 to 2016, she played for both the varsity soccer and basketball teams, while maintaining an honourable academic standing and finally achieving her master of business administration from San Diego State University. Martina has worked several service industry jobs, her most recent as a banking manager.

 

 

 

 

CONSTABLE ELLEN FALLIS

Ellen was born in Gibsons, B.C. Growing up, sports and competition were a huge part of her life. In 2013, she graduated from high school with honours, and was awarded numerous full-tuition basketball scholarships. Ellen played for the Douglas College varsity basketball team, receiving accolades and bursaries for both her academics and athletics. She maintained this standing and achieved her bachelor of arts degree in applied criminology. Ellen has an extensive volunteer and work history within the health sector, service, security, and sports industries. She recently worked for the Surrey Association for the Community Living, as a role player at the JIBC, and as a coach with the North Vancouver Basketball Academy.

 

 

CONSTABLE SEAN FERGUSON

Sean was born in Calgary and moved to Port Coquitlam when he was 11 years old. In high school, Sean became a leader in rugby at the national level. He graduated from Brentwood College Secondary School on Vancouver Island with honours in 2008, and enrolled in the Human Kinetic Program at UBC on an athletic scholarship. While in university, Sean was chosen to represent Canada at the International World Rugby level with the Senior Men’s National 7s Team. After graduating with a bachelor of human kinetics, Sean continued to play rugby competitively. He was recently employed as a project manager in the construction industry.

 

 

CONSTABLE LAURA GEORGE

Laura was born in Truro, England, and her family immigrated to Canada in 1995, settling in Vancouver. Laura excelled in her studies and graduated from high school with honours being named the valedictorian of her graduating class. She entered the Criminology program at Simon Fraser University where Laura completed her degree and a post baccalaureate in legal studies. Following university, Laura worked at Burnaby Youth Custody Services, and in 2017, moved into a position in Youth Probation.

 

 

CONSTABLE ZACH GUY

Zach was born in White Rock and raised in Langley. He attended Walnut Grove Secondary and graduated from the Justice Institute with his Law Enforcement Studies Diploma. In 2016, Zach was hired as a Special Municipal Constable with the VPD. While working as a Community Safety Officer, he performed lifesaving CPR on an unconscious male. For his heroic efforts, he was awarded an Inspector’s Commendation. Zach has volunteered as a junior hike leader, and as a Big Brother.

 

CONSTABLE GRAHAM HADDON

Graham was born and raised in Langley. He attended Simon Fraser University and studied sciences. Graham is an accomplished drummer and plays for the world-renowned SFU Pipe Band, where he has competed internationally and won numerous competitions. We now look forward to having Graham as a member of the world-class Vancouver Police Pipe Band. In his spare time, Graham volunteers to develop and mentor younger drummers. Graham has gained valuable police-related experience as a security guard, loss prevention officer, and more recently has worked in the Vancouver Police Intercept Unit. Brian’s father is VPD Sergeant Gord Haddon and his brother is VPD Constable Brian Haddon.

 

 

CONSTABLE CAMERON HILL

Cameron was born in Vancouver and raised in Surrey, where he graduated from Earl Marriott Secondary School with honours. He received a Certificate in Criminology from Simon Fraser University, and after transferring his education to the University of New South Wales in Australia, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, with a major in Criminology and Human Resources Management.   Before being hired as a Regular Vancouver Police officer, Cameron worked as a Community Safety Officer and Jail Guard.

 

CONSTABLE YONG HUANG

Yong was born in Kaiping, China, and immigrated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, with his family when he was a child. After several years, the family relocated to Vancouver. Yong graduated from David Thompson Secondary and worked part-time in the hospital security industry while attending UBC. Prior to graduating with a bachelor of arts in sociology, Yong was approved to study abroad in Sweden as part of an international exchange program. After travelling the world and re-visiting China as an adult, Yong was hired and trained as a correctional officer. For the past year, he’s been assigned to the Surrey Pre-trial Services Centre, a high-security remand centre for men. Yong is fully fluent in Taishanese, and speaks basic Cantonese and Mandarin.

 

CONSTABLE JOSHUA LARSEN

Joshua was born in Vancouver and raised in Surrey, where he graduated from Seaquam Secondary School. Growing up, he developed a strong passion for baseball and emerged as a top player, resulting in three university scholarships both in the US and Canada. Joshua is also a leader in his community, mentoring and coaching youth baseball.  He completed an associate of arts degree in criminology at Douglas College, and since 2017, Joshua has worked with the Vancouver Police Department as a Special Municipal Constable.

 

 

CONSTABLE ADRIAN LAWSON

Adrian was born and raised in Port Coquitlam. His indigenous ancestry stems from the Lax Kw’alaams Band from the Northwest Coast of BC. Adrian graduated from Pinetree Secondary School in 2007. After high school, he attended the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and in 2014, obtained his Automotive Service Technician Diploma, graduating at the top of his class. He has work experience as a mechanic, cabinet installer, and sales associate. In 2015, Adrian decided to follow in his father’s footsteps, VPD Constable George Lawson, and fulfil his childhood dream of becoming a police officer. In 2016, Adrian was hired as a Special Municipal Constable with the VPD and is currently employed as a full-time Community Safety Officer. Adrian is a field coach and he has trained many new recruits.

 

 

CONSTABLE PAUL NGUYEN

Paul was born in Vancouver after his parents emigrated from Vietnam in 1988. He attended Britannia Secondary School, and upon graduation found employment as an automotive mechanic. In 2015, Paul decided to pursue a career in law enforcement and enrolled in the Law Enforcement Diploma Program at the Justice Institute. At the same time, he became a volunteer with the Collingwood Community Policing Centre. While studying, Paul was successful in becoming a member of the Vancouver Police Traffic Authority, eventually transferring to the Special Municipal Constable Program. Paul is fluent in Vietnamese and has experience in translating documents for court purposes.

 

 

CONSTABLE AUDI ORAHIM

Audi was born in Baghdad, Iraq, shortly after the start of the Gulf War. His parents fled the war-torn country with Audi in search of a better way of life, finally settling in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. Audi graduated from Terry Fox Secondary where he played competitive rugby. He earned his Red Seal certification as an electrician, graduating from BCIT in 2015. Audi never lost sight of his passion for policing, established when he in high school. He has volunteered with the Langley RCMP and is a committed Big Brother. Audi is fluent in Assyrian.

 

CONSTABLE WHITNEY PARONISH

Whitney was born and raised in Spangler, Pennsylvania, in the United States. As a youth, she excelled at sports, and was typically the only girl playing for the boy’s football and wrestling teams. Upon graduating from Northern Cambria High School, Whitney enrolled at Slippery Rock University. After watching a women’s rugby practice, she tried out and made the team. Her development in the sport was so rapid that in 2015 she tried out for the USA Women’s Rugby Team. Whitney graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education, before returning to her hometown where she began teaching. Playing professional football for the Philadelphia Passion brought Whitney to Canada, where she met and married her partner. Whitney was recently employed in the health and fitness industry.

 

CONSTABLE KELTIE REGAN

Keltie was born in Richmond and raised in Surrey. In high school, she was frequently selected as a game all-star and most valuable player for her volleyball and basketball performance. In addition, Keltie volunteered as a peer counsellor and provided emotional support and guidance to fellow students. After graduating, Keltie enrolled in criminology at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and in 2009, she was hired as a Canada Border Services Agency Officer, where she has worked for over ten years.

 

CONSTABLE DANIELLE ROBINSON

Danielle was born and raised in Burnaby. Her love for swimming led her to the competitive sport of water polo.  Upon graduating from York House School in Vancouver, Danielle was recruited by several colleges in the United States.  She attended the University of Maryland for one term, then was invited to play for the Wolverines, an NCAA Division 1 team at the University of Michigan. Danielle was the team captain before graduating with a bachelor of arts in communication studies. She has worked as a marketing rep, an administrative assistant in Paris, a digital media coordinator, and most recently, as a manager in the restaurant industry. Danielle speaks conversational French.

 

 

CONSTABLE JESSICA SIBLEY

Jessica was born in Colchester, Essex, in the UK, and she moved to Luseland, Saskatchewan, at an early age. Throughout high school, she became a leader in hockey, playing in the Junior Women’s Hockey League and representing Team Saskatchewan at the national level. In 2013, Jessica graduated from Warner Hockey School and attended Syracuse University with an athletic scholarship. She continued to excel in NCAA Division 1 hockey and was selected as team captain, recognized for her athletics, academics.  After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, Jessica settled in Surrey, to pursue a career with the Vancouver Police Department.  She was recently employed as a civilian member of the RCMP E-Division, volunteered with the Surrey Women’s Centre and she coaches AAA Midget female hockey.

 

 

CONSTABLE JADE SPENCER-TAM

Jade was born in Vancouver and raised in Burnaby. She attended Burnaby South Secondary School, where she excelled in both sports and academics. Jade went on to study kinesiology and graduated with her bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia. She was an active volunteer at the Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre before being hired as a Special Municipal Constable, where she has recently worked as a Jail Guard and Community Safety Officer. She joins her uncle, Adam King, who is a constable with the VPD.

 

 

CONSTABLE JORDAN THAULI

Jordan was born in Richmond and raised in Ladner. He graduated with honours from Delta Secondary School and continued his post-secondary education at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, earning a bachelor of arts degree in criminology. Jordan is an accomplished lacrosse player, and played at a competitive level for several years, winning and placing in several provincial championship competitions. He is a volunteer coach for the Delta Lacrosse Association and volunteers with the Delta Community Policing Station. In 2016, Jordan was hired with the Vancouver Police as a Special Municipal Constable and recently worked as a full-time Jail Guard.

 

 

CONSTABLE JILL THOMAS

Jill was born in North Vancouver and raised in West Vancouver. She attended West Vancouver Secondary where she coached and played field hockey and soccer. In 2014, she graduated from the UBC Okanagan with her bachelor of human kinetics. Jill recently worked in the head injury rehabilitation field as a kinesiologist, and volunteered with the Special Olympics of BC.

 

 

CONSTABLE KELVIN TRINH

Kelvin was born and raised in Vancouver. In his final year of high school, he successfully completed the VPD Student Challenge. Kelvin studied at Capilano and Simon Fraser University, graduating with a bachelor of arts in criminology and sociology. While at university, Kelvin earned a blue belt in Judo and went on to become a VPD Force Options role player. Kelvin volunteered with the Grandview-Woodland Community Policing Centre, Windermere Boys Club, and the RestART program. In 2016, he became a Special Municipal Constable with the VPD, working predominantly as a Jail Guard. In 2018, Kelvin received a Deputy Chief Constable’s Commendation Award for his exemplary actions in an incident at the jail. His hard work and efforts led him to work in the Youth Services Section as a cadet leader. Kelvin is fluent in Cantonese.

 

 

CONSTABLE TREVOR WADDEN

Trevor was born in Ontario and raised in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. As a youngster, he played hockey, spending all his spare time at the local rink. Trevor was recognized as a natural leader and often selected to captain his team. Upon graduation from high school, he began his undergraduate program at Dalhousie University, as well as playing Junior B hockey. Trevor completed his degree, and shortly after began preparing for the L-SAT. Upon success, he entered law school at the University of New Brunswick. In 2014, he graduated with his juris doctorate in law, but he still had dreams of following his father’s footsteps into law enforcement, who retired after 35 years with the RCMP. Today, Trevor will continue the family tradition of law enforcement with a career with the Vancouver Police Department.