It is my pleasure to recommend Sergeant Mark James for the Police Hero Honour Roll Award.
Sergeant James has served with the Waterloo Regional Police Service for 37 years, joining on July 18, 1988. As the longest-serving member of the Service, he has demonstrated unwavering dedication to both his colleagues and the community. His extensive experience and leadership make him a go-to resource for fellow officers seeking guidance.
Throughout his distinguished career, Mark has worked in Front-Line Patrol, General Investigations, Youth Detectives, Homicide, Emergency Planning, and Provincial Courts, and has also assisted in Drug Investigations. He spent several years seconded as an Instructor at the Ontario Police College, teaching basic constable curriculum. Additionally, he has been an integral part of numerous Service committees, helping drive positive change within the organization.
Mark played a key role in developing the WRPS Mentorship Program, which fosters professional growth and relationship-building among members. As an internal instructor, he has trained officers on topics such as prisoner care and control, mobile workstation use, and body-worn/in-car video technology.
Mark is deeply committed to member wellness, serving as part of the Employee Peer Support Team. Now in his 10th year as an Executive Member of the Waterloo Regional Police Association, he has worked tirelessly on bargaining, litigation, Human Rights Code violations, wellness, and discipline matters—all in collaboration with the Service to ensure a positive and supportive work environment.
On November 5, 2024, Mark was honoured with a WRPS Team Policing Award for his role in the successful arrest of suspects involved in a violent jewelry store robbery in Waterloo.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mark’s dedication to policing is reflected in his family, as his spouse, daughter, and son are all members of WRPS. He also takes immense pride in being the longest-serving visible minority officer in the history of the Service.
Mark embodies the spirit of teamwork, leadership, and service. He still serves as a Patrol Sergeant in Waterloo, always bringing a positive attitude and an unwavering commitment to his colleagues and the community.
