Policing in the 21st Century - Challenges & Opportunities (Hybrid Meeting)

Armand La Barge began his career with York Regional Police in 1973, and in 2002 he was appointed Chief of Police, a position he held until his retirement in December 2010. Chief (Ret) La Barge served as the President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, the Ontario Director of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, and was an Associate Member of the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association.

 During his 37-year police career, he held various positions including uniform patrol, criminal investigations, intelligence, audit implementation, investigative services, information services, deputy chief operations, and deputy chief administration.

Chief (Ret) La Barge has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2012 Black Business Professional Association, Harry Jerome Award for Diversity, the Wilf Wilkinson Rotary Peace Award, the YMCA Peace Medallion, the National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada Distinguished Service Award, the Ontario Volunteer Service Award, the Police Exemplary Services Medal and First Bar and the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals. He is a member of the Special Olympics Hall of Fame.

He is a former Rotarian and an Honorary Member of the Richmond Hill Rotary Club. He first joined Rotary with the Vaughan Rotary Club and was director of Community Services. He then transferred to the Stouffville Sunrise Club and was a Charter Member of the Uxbridge Rotary Club.

Armand holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Canadian Studies and a Multicultural Studies Certificate and a Master’s Certificate in Municipal Management from York University; an Honorary Bachelor of Applied Studies degree from Seneca College; a Master of Arts degree in Canadian and Indigenous Studies from Trent University; a Master of Philosophy degree in Criminal Justice from Walden University; and a Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) from the University of Guelph.