Creators of Halton’s First Responders Co-op Program Among the Nominees

Members of the Halton Regional Police are in the running for two prestigious Police Services Hero of the Year Awards.

Officers Don Flanagan and Jovi Minic have been nominated for the Community Role Model Award, while civilian member Mike Duhacek is up for the Police Hero Honour Roll.

Now in its 10th year, the awards are presented by the Police Association of Ontario to recognize outstanding contributions by law enforcement personnel.

Inspiring the Next Generation of First Responders
Flanagan and Minic’s nomination comes from their dedication to an innovative mentorship program aimed at inspiring future first responders. The initiative provides students with hands-on exposure to careers in policing, corrections, firefighting, and emergency medical services (EMS).

Beyond career insights, the program fosters strong mentor-student relationships, giving young people guidance and support in their career decisions.

“Their dedication to fostering the next generation of first responders through an innovative mentorship program has made a profound impact on students in our community,” reads their nomination. “These officers go above and beyond their regular duties to ensure each student feels supported and empowered.”

Using an immersive learning approach, the program involves real-world training scenarios in collaboration with other emergency services. Students get firsthand experience, such as:

✅ Firefighting Drills – Navigating through a burning building simulation in full gear.
✅ Judicial Process Exposure – Participating in a mock courtroom trial based on real cases.

The program also serves as a co-op education opportunity, allowing students to earn two high school credits while gaining practical experience.

“Their innovative approach to career exploration, combined with their passion for supporting young people, has created an invaluable opportunity that continues to change lives,” their nomination states.

A Civilian Hero Making a Difference
Mike Duhacek, nominated for the Police Hero Honour Roll, is recognized for his tireless work in cancer fundraising and awareness.

Duhacek founded Help Me Bury Cancer in 2012 and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer charities. His remarkable fundraising efforts include:

🏔️ Dragging a 125-pound sled for 918 km through Ontario in the winter.
🛷 Pulling a 212-pound snowmobile sled (carved with the word ‘cancer’) from Georgian Bay to Lake Ontario.
🏃 Running 31 half marathons in 31 days.

Beyond fundraising, Duhacek has delivered motivational speeches to tens of thousands of students, offering hope and encouragement to cancer patients and their families. A 26-year civilian member of Halton Regional Police, he has also served multiple times as Canada’s ambassador for Cops for Cancer.

Winners to Be Announced on May 29
The Police Services Hero of the Year award winners will be announced on May 29, celebrating those who go above and beyond in serving their communities.