ABOUT ACCPA
Albertans Making Communities Safer Together
Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association was established in 1989 as the Alberta Community Police Advisory Committee by provincial Police Services as a means to discuss mutual crime related issues within communities/police/government. In 1990 it became the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association (ACCPA).
ACCPA's goal is to ensure safety to Albertans and their communities through education and crime prevention awareness.
- ACCPA is the connector between rural and urban communities and agencies.
- Together we promote community safety and well-being.
- When our communities are connected, engaged and empowered, we have a sustainable community where everyone is safe, everyone has a sense of belonging, and everyone has access to services.
ACCPA SIGNS MOU WITH RCMP K DIVISION - JUNE 23, 2023
Albertans Making Communities Safer Together
On behalf of the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association and my board, we are proud and honoured to sign this Memorandum of Understanding. This signing solidifies a strong existing relationship between partners; we look forward to future initiatives and projects as we continue to work together providing Community Safety to all communities throughout the province.
Jean Bota
President, Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association
Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) - 2023 Conference
The Alberta Associations of Chiefs of Police (AACP) Conference came to a close November 29, and there was a lot of valuable information shared. The agenda focused on Integrated Community Safety and Wellness, and a number of professionals who work in these areas shared their experiences and knowledge.
Community safety requires collaboration, and the presenters shared ways in which they’ve seen some success in their fields and communities.
OUR MISSION
Bringing agencies and citizens together to build safer communities and promote wellbeing for all.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CORRINA WILLIAMS
President, ACCPA
Corinna and her husband moved to the area in 1993 from England where they have raised their two children Matthew and Jasmine and built up their Apiary Business. Corinna recently retired from her 25-year profession as a Registered Massage Therapist. She has served on many boards and committees and always volunteered for activities through her children’s schools and sports programs.
CORINNA IS CHAIR OF NORTHERN SUNRISE RURAL CRIME WATCH ASSOCIATION AND A PAST VOLUNTEER FOR THE ST ISIDORE/THREE CREEKS FIRE DEPARTMENT WHERE SHE HAS COMPLETED HER NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTER CERTIFICATION AND THE FIRE MEDICAL RESPONDER TRAINING.
Corinna was honoured to be elected for the Three Creeks\Wesley Creek Ward and is Reeve for the Northern Sunrise County.
ORREN FORD
Vice President, ACCPA
Raised in Peace River, community is always something Orren Ford has placed first. As a third-term Town Councillor, Ford has helped to guide municipal decision-making over the last five years. Through that role he has taken on leadership in public and community safety.
As a councillor he has worked as a member of the Community Safety Advisory Committee, and the RCMP Advisory Committee. While on those committees he has helped to spearhead several initiatives such as, the Safe Summer Strategies, an advertising campaign that encourages youth to make safe choices throughout the summer, as well as, an annual positive ticket campaign that rewards those doing good in the community.
ORREN HAS ALSO BEEN A BIG PROPONENT OF CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN (CPTED) HELPING TO ENSURE COUNCIL AND THE MUNICIPALITY CONSIDER CPTED CONCEPTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
In addition to his role on Council Ford has been an active community member. He has been an active member of the fire department for 23 years. He is also been involved in youth sports for more than 24 years as a coach, mentor and referee.
HOLLY ARTHUR
Secretary, ACCPA
Holly joined the ACCPA board in July 2018 and is currently our Board Secretary. Holly has been involved in the Criminal Justice field since graduating in 2008. Holly attended Saint Mary’s University where she obtained degrees in Criminology and Sociology and knew she wanted a career in corrections but one that would focus on helping others. In addition to her employment, Holly was a volunteer Youth Restorative Justice Facilitator for 6 years before deciding to relocate from Halifax, Nova Scotia to sunny Calgary.
UPON ARRIVAL TO ALBERTA, HOLLY FOUND MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT WITH THE ALBERTA SEVENTH STEP SOCIETY HELPING OFFENDERS AND EX-OFFENDERS TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN THEIR FREEDOM WHILE PROVIDING EDUCATION TO YOUTH IN THE PROVINCE. AFTER MANY YEARS OF FRONTLINE AND MANAGEMENT ROLES, HOLLY OVERSAW THE AGENCY AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR 3 YEARS PRIOR TO HER DEPARTURE IN EARLY 2023 TO CONTINUE PURSUING HER PASSION. HOLLY IS NOW EMPLOYED WITH THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICE OF CANADA AS A PAROLE OFFICER. HOLLY BELIEVES THAT HER WORK AND VALUES CLOSELY ALIGN WITH ACCPA’S VIEWS TO FOCUS ON POSITIVE REINTEGRATION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY. HOLLY IS PASSIONATE AND MOTIVATED TO USE HER VOICE AND LEARNED KNOWLEDGE TO ASSIST THOSE IN NEED.
Holly has a wealth of knowledge in the Not-For-Profit world, holding a Non-Profit Management Certificate from Mount Royal University and sitting on multiple volunteer boards including a National Board for the Seventh Step Society of Canada. When Holly isn’t busy with work or volunteering she loves dirt biking and spending time with her two Great Danes.
SAM KOMOLAFE
Treasurer, ACCPA
Samuel is a qualified professional accountant with CPA designation. A financial analyst with more than 10 years' experience working in different finance units (process improvement project, supply chain finance and financial planning and accounting) of a multinational Fast-Moving Consumer Group. He has a diversified background in IT with bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a certification in Enterprise Resource Planning Financial and Controlling module.
SAMUEL HAS BEEN INVOLVED AS A VOLUNTEER IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS FOR VARIOUS NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS (OLD STUDENT ASSOCIATION, RESIDENTIAL ASSOCIATION AND COOPERATIVE SOCIETY) IN HIS ORIGINAL HOME OF NIGERIA.
These organizations delivered a number of noteworthy projects (school building renovation, community conflict resolution etc) that impacted positively on the life of people in the environment.
MAXWELL GARDNER
Director, ACCPA
Community safety and well-being require ongoing effort, grounded in humility, courage, empathy, and respect.
Max was drawn to the ACCPA board by a passion for fostering connections, building community, and raising awareness on key public safety issues. He is committed to facilitating conversations that bring people together and inspire collaboration across all levels of government and the private sector.
Max's goal is to help ACCPA build capacity in both rural and urban communities across Alberta, working towards empowering actionable solutions that improve public safety and social outcomes for all Canadians.
After an extensive period of budget travel, Max gained a deeper understanding of Canada’s global reputation for opportunities and safety standards. Recognizing that education was the next step, he continued working as a carpenter while earning a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, with a minor in Arabic Language and Muslim Cultures. He is passionate about language, culture, and
literature as a way to create pathways of understanding, and thought to promote community. Looking ahead, Max hopes to share his appreciation for Canada and Alberta, focusing on the positive values—equality, safety, and respect—that unite us as a thriving democratic nation.
LAWRENCE JANSEN
Director, ACCPA
Lawrence Jansen is the Community and Education Coordinator for the Edmonton Police Service. Lawrence has been working within the EPS for 19 years engaging communities and individuals by providing community safety and crime prevention support and resources. As the EPS's Neighbourhood Empowerment Team's (NET) liaison Lawrence connects communities to the appropriate EPS resources.
LAWRENCE STRONGLY BELIEVES THAT COLLABORATION IS CRITICAL FOR MAKING COMMUNITIES SAFE PLACES.
AMBER JENSEN
Director, ACCPA
Amber Jensen resides on unceded Blackfoot territory near what is now known as Lethbridge, Alberta. She has a degree in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge where she has also published work.
She currently sits on the board of directors for both the Sik Ooh Kotoki Friendship Society and Alberta Restorative Justice Association.
In her spare time you can find her reading, camping or snuggling one of her five pets.
MARK KAY
Director, ACCPA
Mark has been an ACCPA board member since 2013. In his vocation, Mark is a Construction Management Advisor with Engineering Department of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB). In previous roles Mark served as Chair of the RMWB Corporate Security Implementation Committee of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB), and Security Advisor with 2016 Wildfire Recovery Task Force. In these roles he was responsible for developing and managing security governance, awareness and training, policy and procedures, and security assessments and reviews – including Security Risk Assessments of Critical Infrastructure and CPTED Assessments of community assets.
During his 15 years with RMWB, Mark has served in additional management and advisor roles in Municipal Law Enforcement and RCMP Support Services, Community Services, Strategic Planning and the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games.
During service as Crime Prevention Community Liaison he introduced community support initiatives, including RMWB's Crime Prevention and Community Safety Grant program, and the region's first Crime Free Multi-Housing certification.
Prior to joining RMWB, Mark served 20 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in uniformed and plainclothes positions. Mark holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours, Urban & Regional Planning), from the University of Waterloo, a Master of Business Administration from Saint Mary's University, and professional designations in security management, and critical infrastructure protection.
JULIE MATTHEWS
Director, ACCPA
Julie Matthews was an Investigative TV reporter for 19 years including 10 years as Global Edmonton’s Troubleshooter where she solved problems for many Albertans. She then traded her microphone for a badge, becoming a peace officer and senior investigator for the last decade with the Government of Alberta’s Consumer Investigations Unit.
She is now a freelance fraud prevention consultant and tours around Alberta educating communities and businesses about the latest frauds and scams.
Born and raised in rural Alberta, she knows first hand the challenges these areas face when it comes to crime prevention. Through her presentations and outreach she tries to bring even more awareness to schemes and crime targeting these areas.
Julie is a self professed "fraud nerd", also sharing her passion for spotting scams and offering tips on all of her social media platforms. She has been recognized with numerous community and government awards for her efforts to protect Albertans.
She is a certified fraud examiner and has been co-chair of ACCPA's Fraud Prevention Month planning
committee for many years. She has a weekly segment on CFCW radio, "Scam Alert" which airs every Thursday.
François (Frank) Nadeau
Director, ACCPA
François (Frank) is a police officer with the Red Deer City RCMP's Community Policing Unit..
AS A CRIME PREVENTION SPECIALIST, HE ANALYZES TRENDS IN YOUTH CRIME AND DEVELOPS STRATEGIES THAT PREVENT YOUNG OFFENDERS FROM BECOMING CAREER CRIMINALS. HE ALSO SERVES AS A PUBLIC RELATIONS LIAISON AND ADVISES BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS ON HOW TO PHYSICALLY SECURE THEIR OPERATIONS.
Prior to joining the RCMP, Frank worked for several government departments and agencies in the nation’s capital, including Statistics Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves and Global Affairs Canada.
Since 2019, François has taught post-secondary courses for the Justice Studies program at Red Deer College. He holds a Masters’ degree in Political Science with a specialization in public opinion and public policy. On his spare time, François likes to travel the world and enjoys skiing and hiking in the Rocky Mountains with is his wife Julia and his son Galen.
Julie Nanson-Ashton
Director, ACCPA
Julie Nanson-Ashton is the Executive Director at the Central Alberta FASD Society. Julie is responsible for overseeing the administration, operations, programming, and strategic planning of the organization. Julie has worked in the fields of addiction, mental health, and disability for the past 28 years as a certified counsellor, educator, and senior manager. She has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Etana, Manitoba Health – Leading Change Program, collaborating with senior level regional health and government leaders, to inform evidence-based changes
to the Manitoba Healthcare system.
JULIE HAS LED TEAMS OF UP TO FOUR HUNDRED EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF ORGANIZATION AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, ACHIEVED THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH PRACTICES AND EVALUATION TECHNIQUES, RESULTING IN HIGH QUALITY CLIENT CARE.
Julie is a trained Restorative Practices facilitator through the International Institute of Restorative Practices. She possesses a Graduate Certificate in Restorative Practices and is a candidate for the Master of Science in Restorative Practices.
EKATERINA TSATSKO
Director, ACCPA
Ekaterina Tsatsko has a background in neuroscience and clinical research, with particular interests in forensic psychology,neuroscience, and artificial intelligence (AI). She has held roles in addictions recovery, non-profit organizations, and board positions, serving vulnerable populations in Alberta for over two decades.
Ekaterina is passionate about human rights and disability rights, focusing on how to protect these populations in both rural and urban settings.
Having grown up in Alberta’s beautiful rural and urban communities, she has been a vocal advocate for Alberta’s vulnerable populations, striving to combine her expertise and advocacy to help foster
inclusive, safe, and supportive communities throughout the province.
BECKY WYLIE-JARDINE
Director, ACCPA
Becky is new to the ACCPA Board as of 2019 but she has been a supporter of ACCPA for many years, including as a presenter at the ACCPA Conference in 2006.
She has been active in preventing crime for over 30 years and has attended numerous crime prevention conferences across Canada during that time. She is currently the Head of the Justice Studies Program at Red Deer College where she is responsible for overseeing the newly developed program, as well as teaching Justice Studies and Sociology courses.
Becky has a Diploma in Police Science from Mount Royal College, a BA in Criminology from Simon Fraser University and an MA in Criminology from the University of South Florida, Tampa. She retired from the RCMP after 22 years of service and went on to work with Federal Offenders at Horizon House, with the John Howard Society in Red Deer. She also spent time working as a dispatcher, health and safety consultant, and line locator in the oilfield. She has a professional designation as an International Crime Prevention Specialist, and received an RCMP District Commander Certificate of Appreciation, for a crime prevention program she designed called S.A.F.E. Schools-Safe Communities. She and her AHS partner Jillian Risto won an award from the Alberta Centre for Injury Control, for developing the Helmet Option Program, a crime prevention program, which rewarded youths for wearing their helmets, when the new mandatory bicycle helmet laws came into effect.
BECKY BELIEVES STONGLY IN "COMMUNITY" AS BEING THE FIRST DEFENCE AGAINST CRIME, AND AS PAST PRESIDENT AND CURRENT VICE PRESIDENT OF THE RED DEER/LACOMBE RURAL COMMUNITY CRIME WATCH, SHE REGULARLY GIVES CRIME PREVENTION INFORMATION SESSIONS IN THE COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING RED DEER. SHE HAS GIVEN SIMILAR PRESENTATIONS IN SURROUNDING COUNTIES AT THE REQUEST OF THE RCMP AS WELL AS OTHER RURAL CRIME WATCHES.
In her spare time, Becky is the coach of the Rodeo Team at Red Deer College and attends Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Rodeos during the College Rodeo season. She and her son like to travel and spend time in the mountains with their 2 dogs.
JEAN BOTA
Executive Director, ACCPA
Jean was on the ACCPA Board since 2015, and became Board President in 2016. She resigned as Board President in August 2024 to take on the role of Executive Director.
Jean has always been very involved in her community, regardless of where she and her family have lived. She feels her rural roots and her involvement with the many Crime Prevention and advisory groups have been an asset to Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association. The many representative's on their board has also been beneficial when it comes to understanding the different issues and concerns many communities throughout the province experience.
Prior to being board chair Jean enjoyed a thirty three year career in the banking industry retiring in 2005. Following her retirement she began her first university class in the fall of 2006 and what began as a history Major made a detour into social sciences; setting her on a life changing path. In 2012, she proudly walked across the University of Calgary stage at her convocation accepting a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/Psychology.
Due to her community involvement, she was successful at being elected to municipal politics in 2013, re-elected in 2017 and succumb to defeat in 2021 by 2 votes. Regardless her desire to assist and empower communities throughout this province prevails.
JEAN LOVES THE CHALLENGE OF WORKING WITH PEOPLE AND ASSISTING WITH SOLUTIONS.
Ensuring rural communities are not left out, Jean has promoted and advocated for Rural communities ensuring they receive the resources/ supports they require through education and awareness. In 2020 she and her executive planned a Visioning session which saw the narrative for Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association slightly modified to embrace Community Safety and Wellbeing, as well as Crime Prevention. From this Visioning session came four objectives, one of which was the implementation of Community Safety Plan Frameworks in communities, and a revised membership model. In conjunction with the Membership Model it is the intentions of ACCPA to interview and prepare live broadcasts on various social issues each month. In turn, these broadcasts would be viewed by ACCPA membership and others for awareness and education in their communities.
Jean believes everything begins in the community. Empowered and educated communities ensure a deeper understanding of community issues through connection. Empowered communities also have an advantage when it comes to dealing with or adverting situations which may lead to a life of crime for many in their communities.
DIANNE HALEY
Administrator, ACCPA
Dianne was hired by ACCPA in November 2016 to act as Administrator for the association. Dianne retired from public service in 2011 after 21 years in municipal government followed by 9 years in provincial government. She is currently the President of Haley-Comben Services Inc.
DIANNE HAS VOLUNTEERED FOR CLOSE TO THIRTY YEARS WITH URBAN AND REGIONAL INFORMATION ASSOCIATION, SERVING ON ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN MANY CAPACITIES, AND PARTICIPATING IN MANY OF ITS COMMITTEES.
She also has experience with organizing and hosting conferences and building systems to support conference registration.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
