The Future of Policing, Professional Development, and the Network

CPKN is more than an organization with 40 employees, it’s a network that guides and drives future directions.

CPKN hosts 17th annual Stanhope Conference

CPKN welcomed 96 delegates from over 45 services to collaborate, network, and discuss emerging police trends across Canada.

CPKN Presents 2024 F. Darren Smith Award to Betty Froese

CPKN presented the 2024 F. Darren Smith Award to Betty Froese during the 17TH annual Stanhope Conference in September.

F. Darren Smith Award of Excellence 2024

Nominations now open for the F. Darren Smith Award of Excellence This award recognizes individuals who are making a meaningful and lasting impact on the advancement of police professional development. By Natalie Fournier The Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN) is now accepting nominations for the F. Darren Smith Award of Excellence. Established in 2012, the award is presented annually at CPKN’s Stanhope Conference and honours individuals in the Canadian police community who demonstrate exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing technology-enhanced learning. The award commemorates Staff Superintendent F. Darren Smith, whose 33-year career with the Toronto Police Service included pioneering efforts in police professional development through technology and had a lasting impact on national learning models. Anyone may submit a nomination. Nominees must be employed as a sworn or civilian member in a Canadian police service, police training academy, college, or institution, or be part of a related organization that is involved in police professional development. Completed nominations must be received by Friday, August 22, 2025, at 11:45 p.m. Atlantic Daylight Time. If you are interested in learning more about this award, past award winners, or would like to download a nomination form, please click here. Nominations can be emailed to communications@cpkn.ca.

New Courses Available

Check out the four new courses added to CPKN’s catalogue.

2025 Canadian Credible Leadership Cohort

  A new cohort of the Canadian Credible Leadership will be beginning February 2025. The Canadian Credible Leadership Cohort is an interactive and engaging leadership program, created in collaboration with CPKN, leadership experts, and police members to teach the skills necessary to be successful in a leadership position. This training model pairs independent study with live workshops and peer support that will equip participants with the skills to: Enhance operational efficiency; Sustain public trust; Reduce liabilities; Attract and retain the best talent; Harness the power of emotional intelligence; Lead themselves, their peers, their organizations, and their communities. When: Beginning in February 11, 2025, there will be nine weekly virtual sessions, each lasting two hours. Who: The February cohort will provide a maximum of 30 spots. What: The complete course is comprised of nine virtual two-hour sessions with online reading and video material. Students will be required to attend seven of the nine sessions at minimum to receive a certificate of completion. Cost: The cost for this course is $800, per spot. To inquire about registering, please contact Heather Lizama, Project Coordinator at heather.lizama@cpkn.ca.  

LMS Status

The technical issues our Learning Management System (LMS) was experiencing earlier today have now been resolved. If you are still experiencing any difficulties, please reach out to support@cpkn.ca. Please note our Learning Management System (LMS) is currently experiencing some technical issues, but our team is working diligently to return the system to normal. We appreciate your patience, and will send an update when this issue is resolved.

CPKN Announces New President

After a comprehensive nation-wide search, the Canadian Police Knowledge Network is excited to announce Sonia Poulin as the next President.

New Courses Available

Announcing the CPKN-CSKA strategic alliance

  The Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN) is proud to announce its strategic alliance with the Community Safety Knowledge Alliance (CSKA). Building on nine years of partnership between the two organizations, this enhanced alliance aims to boost the integration of applied research and knowledge development to drive excellence in policing professional development. “These are two well established organizations with long-standing commitments to supporting the police community,” said Paul Pedersen, Executive Director, Ontario Association Chiefs of Police, and Board Chair, CPKN. “The complementary strengths of each organization position us well to collaborate on future initiatives.” For 20 years, CPKN’s services, products, and training have been informed by police services and the communities they serve across Canada. This alliance serves as an additional assurance to police services that the professional development offerings that CPKN offers are evidence informed. CPKN and CSKA have a history of close collaboration, having worked together on projects such as the National Leadership Competency Framework, Improving Police Relations with Racialized Communities conference and course with Peel Regional Police, and a repository on community safety and well-being initiatives. “The significance of evidence-informed knowledge and learning solutions in today’s intricate policing and community safety environments cannot be emphasized enough,” said […]