Sgt. Stephen Hicks - 2006 Bud Knight Award Recipient

Sergeant Stephen Hicks is a twenty-three year veteran of the Toronto Police Service working presently in 31 Division in uniform capacity.

For many years, Sgt. Hicks has been involved in youth mentorship with sports and youth, particularly through soccer. In 1997 he started a neighbourhood soccer league that eventually evolved into the “For KICKS” program in 31 Division expanding to three other divisions in Toronto.

This program involves hundreds of under-privileged youth living in high crime areas of the city together with community partners and police officers.

Sgt. Hicks has been fundraising for the “For KICKS” program and participating in youth initiatives in various capacities for over a decade. Sgt. Hicks has volunteered tirelessly, both in his home community of Brooklin, Ontario and in the community in which he serves as a police officer with the Toronto Police Service. Over the past decade, Sgt. Hicks has been recognized informally and formally by both communities for his dedication and commitment to youth. As a member of the Toronto Police Service, Sgt. Hicks has received five Service Award Documentations for his volunteer work organizing youth soccer tournaments, charity fundraising events and coordinating a police charity golf tournament.

Currently, the “For KICKS” organization has two branches: the Fundraising Branch and the Youth Mentoring Branch. In the Fundraising Branch, the KICKS acronym stands for “Kids Involving Cops for Kindness and Support”. This original branch was established for the purpose of coordinating fundraising events for the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children. In the Youth Mentoring Branch, the KICKS acronym stands for “Kids Involving Cops for Knowledge and Sport”. This developing branch, established at the beginning of 2005, was designed to assist at-risk youth overcome systemic barriers that prevent them from experiencing the enjoyment of sport. As an integral component of this branch, sport, specifically soccer, serves as the vehicle to teach youth important life skills through mentoring sessions. Youth mentoring with officers through soccer is a great environment for breaking down barriers between police and youth and providing good adult role models that may otherwise not be there.

The Committee of Youth Officers for the Province of Ontario congratulates Sgt. Hicks on being the recipient of this award and is proud to recognize his dedication and commitment to youth.