Emcy Award Winner

Lifetime Achievement Award

Inspector Kai Liu is a community leader who truly embodies the spirit of diversity. In June 1986, Kai became the first Asian police officer in the City of Ottawa. He recognized and embraced the responsibility placed on him to be a positive role model and champion for the multicultural community. Today he is the highest ranking visible minority officer on the service. As a junior Constable with 4 years experience, he took on the challenge to set up the first Community Policing Centre in Eastern Ontario. This police center located in Ottawa's Chinatown quickly became the vehicle for building relationships and trust between our Asian community and the police. Because of Kai's ability to demonstrate the value of this first community police center, many other police centers were established throughout the city and 18 years later remain a vibrant part of the community. During Kai Liu's career, he has supervised the Diversity and Race Relations Unit, Crime Stoppers and Firearms section, High Tech Crime, Domestic Violence Unit, and others. He is a sought after panelist at seminars where valuing diversity is the topic and is also sought after by various multicultural leaders in the community as an advisor who has a unique ability to clearly understand the differences and issues faced within the various communities. Of significance is Kai's positive proven impact on the social awareness of Violence Against Women. Kai recognized that immigrant women were a key sector in the community who were underreporting domestic violence offences and as a result were underserved by the police. In response he helped introduce a number of innovative policy changes and legislation by working with community advocates and government agencies. He developed and instituted a two-way exchange and cultural awareness program. Under his leadership, the Domestic Violence Unit was nominated for two prestigious international police awards and Kai Liu's achievements were recognized by the Canadian International Development Agency and the United Nations.