Armand La Barge is a former Rotarian who began his career with York Regional Police in 1973 and served as Chief of Police until his retirement. During his 37-year police career, he held multiple positions throughout the organization. He is known as a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion, an ardent defender of social justice and human rights, a hfe-long volunteer and community activist and someone committed to service on volunteer boards, community and faith-based organizations. He has been engaged in research around more effective ways for police authorities to develop less confrontational relationships with Indigenous People in Canada, including First Nations.
As Chief of York Regional Police, Chief LaBarge served as President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, the Ontario Director for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Associate "Member of the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association, member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Police Association, the Police Executive Research Forum, the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario, and the FBI National Academy Association.He served as a strategic advisor to two independent reviews on civilian oversight in policing and street checks or carding, and on police reform projects in Jamaica and other countries and jurisdictions.
Dr. La Barge holds Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees. During his academic career he has taken courses or programs on topics such as Multiculturalism Studies, philosophy, criminal justice, Municipal Management, terrorism studies, executive development, French, advanced investigation sciences and business management.
Chief La Barge is immediate past chair of the Trent University Board of Governors, a former member of the Board of Governors for York University, co-chair of the Association of Progressive Muslims of Canada Advisory Board, Global Peace Initiative, a member of the Special Olympics Hall of Fame and a member of the lntercultuural Dialogue Institute.
Below are excerpts from Dr. LaBarge's presentation.
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