It is with great pride that we nominate Detective Constable (D/C) Eric Heron for the 2025 Police Hero Awards in the category of Community Role Model. D/C Heron’s unwavering dedication, innovation, and passion for protecting vulnerable youth from exploitation have made an indelible impact on Durham Region. His work in the Human Trafficking Unit since 2021, under a CARE unit secondment, has been instrumental in educating the community on youth at risk and forging critical partnerships that directly support victims.
D/C Heron has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to community education and prevention, focusing on raising awareness about the realities of youth exploitation. Through his outreach efforts, he has helped bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public, fostering a better understanding of the warning signs and dangers associated with human trafficking. His dedication to victim advocacy led him to develop a strong working relationship with Victim Services of Durham Region (VSDR), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting survivors of trafficking and exploitation.
Recognizing a gap in sustainable funding for VSDR, D/C Heron took an innovative approach to ensure ongoing financial support for victim services. His passion led to the development of Project Firebird, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at combatting the purchase of sexual services from minors in Durham Region. Through his leadership, Project Firebird has resulted in the arrest of 44 individuals, with 136 charges laid, sending a powerful message about the region’s zero-tolerance stance on the exploitation of youth. Additionally, D/C Heron's efforts have led to $7,000 in donations to VSDR, ensuring that the organization has the necessary resources to provide critical support services to victims.
One significant success story from Project Firebird highlights its far-reaching impact. A male who agreed to meet with what he believed to be an underage female was convicted and received a 30-month sentence and 20 years on the Sex Offender Registry. Due to the conviction, a DNA sample was taken. Shortly after the sample was provided, Durham Regional Police received a notification that a crime scene sample had a hit to a convicted offender on the National DNA Databank. The DNA hit was for the male involved in this incident, and was in relation to a cold case incident from 2018.
Beyond enforcement, D/C Heron sought a long-term solution to support victims. Understanding the need for sustainable funding for VSDR, he collaborated with the Crown Attorney’s Office to incorporate a financial component into those seeking a guilty plea deal for those charged under Project Firebird. This unprecedented initiative requires offenders to make a direct monetary contribution to VSDR, ensuring that the organization has the necessary resources to provide critical support services to victims. His creative approach not only holds offenders accountable but also redirects financial resources to those in need, amplifying the impact of VSDR’s work.
D/C Heron’s efforts have had a profound and lasting effect on the community. Thanks to his vision, perseverance, and commitment to victim support, VSDR can now extend its services to more individuals affected by exploitation and human trafficking. His initiative has set a precedent for how law enforcement can play a pivotal role in both prevention and aftercare for victims. His work has strengthened the network of support available in Durham Region, demonstrating that meaningful change is possible when passion and innovation intersect with policing.
For his outstanding leadership, dedication to community education, and groundbreaking efforts in supporting victims of human trafficking, we wholeheartedly nominate Detective Constable Eric Heron for the 2025 Police Hero Awards in the category of Community Role Model. His work exemplifies the true essence of community policing—ensuring justice while creating sustainable solutions that uplift and protect the most vulnerable members of our society.
