ARDAMAN Jaswal was among the 15 new Vancouver Police Department recruits that were sworn in on Friday.
Ardaman was born in Ludhiana, Punjab, India. She was raised in South Vancouver and graduated from John Oliver Secondary. During high school, Ardaman participated in soccer, basketball, and field hockey.
Ardaman furthered her education at Langara College and obtained her diploma in kinesiology, while continuing to develop her skills and relevant work experience as a loss prevention officer. She volunteered with the South Vancouver Community Policing Centre, the Khalsa Diwan Society, and the Vancouver Police Citizens’ Crime Watch.
She went on to complete her bachelor of kinesiology at UBC. She is fluent in Punjabi.
ANOTHER new officer, Neville Italia, is fluent in the Indian language of Gujarati.
Neville was born in Hong Kong and moved to Burnaby, BC, with his family when he was 10 years old. He graduated from St. Thomas More Collegiate in 2001, and enrolled at Simon Fraser University, where studying criminology became his passion.
Prior to completing his bachelor of arts in 2007, Neville obtained a practicum placement with the VPD in the Planning and Research Unit. He continued his career working as a Fleet Attendant, Jail Guard and Fingerprint Technician, until he became a Supervisor in the Public Service Unit.
The other new officers:
MARY KATHERINE BATTLE
Mary Katherine was born in Vancouver and raised in Richmond. In 2009, she graduated from Little Flower Academy. She attended Langara College and received a Diploma in Human Kinetics, before transferring to UBC to complete her bachelor of kinesiology degree in 2015. Mary Katherine’s love of soccer inspired her to become an accomplished soccer official, and she has refereed both nationally and internationall. Mary Katherine has worked in the fitness industry, in customer service, and as a coach. Her desire to pursue policing came when she worked as a student border service officer with the Canada Border Services Agency. In 2015, Mary Katherine was hired as a Jail Guard with the VPD. She continues to dedicate countless hours volunteering as both a soccer coach and mentoring referees in the game of soccer.
CHRIS BIRKETT
Chris was born in Burnaby and raised in East Vancouver. His interest in policing started when he participated in the VPD Student Challenge and the RCMP’s Encounters with Canada. He graduated from Templeton Secondary and later studied criminology at Langara College. Chris gained valuable police-related experience working as a loss prevention officer and as a VPD Tactical Training Centre role player. In 2012, he completed his training for the BC Sheriff Service. Chris received his Associates Certificate in Training and Facilitation from the JIBC, and is currently an instructor for Sheriff Recruit Training and Firearms. He volunteers with the Big Brothers Program, VPD Citizens’ Crime Watch, Wishes without Borders Charity Toy Drive, and he is a member of the BC Sheriff Ceremonial Unit.
ALEXANDRA BLAND
Alex was born and raised in Vancouver. In 2010, she graduated from Little Flower Academy and earned an academic scholarship to the University of Guelph. She later transferred to the University of British Columbia, studying natural resources conservation in forestry, and obtained her bachelor of science degree in 2015. Alex is an accomplished varsity field hockey player, and he has won provincial and national championships. While going to university, she worked for the Canadian Coast Guard’s Inshore Rescue Boat Program as a member of a search and rescue team, and she recently worked as a Special Municipal Constable with the VPD.
MIKE HAMZE
Mike was born in Burnaby, and raised in Pitt Meadows, BC. He developed a passion for sports and played competitive basketball, soccer, and rugby. By the time he graduated from Pitt Meadows Secondary in 2005, he also completed the New Westminster Police Junior Police Academy, and was voted class valedictorian. Mike pursued his interest in policing by working full-time as a loss prevention officer, while continuing to take criminology courses at Douglas College. In 2011, Mike was hired as a correctional officer at Burnaby Youth Custody, and received his training at the Justice Institute of BC. He graduated from Douglas College in 2013 with a criminology diploma, while working full-time as the Programs Officer at Burnaby Youth Custody.
NATHAN JOHRE
Nathan was born in New Westminster and raised in Rossland, British Columbia. He graduated from Rossland Secondary School in 2008. Nathan received a Diploma in Criminology from Douglas College, and then transferred to Simon Fraser University to complete his bachelor of arts degree in criminology. Post-university, Nathan travelled for a full year, exploring many countries all over the world. He was an active volunteer firefighter with the Rossland Volunteer Fire Department. He has been working as a youth care counsellor with Spectrum Learning Centre, and bartending in the restaurant industry.
FREDDY LAU
Freddy was born in Edmonton, and raised in Hong Kong and Port Coquitlam. His interest in policing began when he attended the RCMP Youth Academy. He graduated from Terry Fox Secondary and obtained a criminology diploma at Douglas College. Freddy has valuable police-related experience as a loss prevention officer, a military police reservist, and a Fleet Services Attendant. Freddy is proficient in Cantonese and excited to start his new career as a Vancouver Police constable.
MICHEL “MIKE” LEBEL
Mike was born in Lakefield, Quebec, and moved to BC when he was eight years old. Throughout school, Mike was a standout football player with a passion for the game. In 2007, he graduated from Pinetree Secondary, where he won the Athletic Honour Roll Award four years running. Following high school, Mike attended Vanier College in Montreal, where in his first season his team won the CEGEP Championship. Mike was recruited to play football for the University of Manitoba while he pursued his studies. In 2010, Mike moved back to BC where he worked at a local recycling company, securing positions as Senior Truck Operator and Accounts Manager. Mike has been a volunteer football coach for many years and spent two years as a volunteer firefighter. He is fluent in French.
NICHOLAS LEE
Nicholas was born in Hong Kong and raised in Burnaby. As a youth, he excelled in soccer and was voted by his team as most valuable player and most sportsmanlike. Nicholas graduated from Burnaby South Secondary, and obtained diplomas in Financial Planning with Distinction from BCIT and Hospitality Management from VCC. Nicholas has volunteered with the Kerrisdale-Oakridge-Marpole and Collingwood CPCs. In 2016, he was hired as a Special Municipal Constable with the VPD. Nicholas speaks Cantonese.
SARAH POPIL
Sarah was born in Saskatoon and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan as a member of the Lake Cree Nation Band. She graduated from Lethbridge College and has a Diploma in Criminal Justice and Policing in 2008. Sarah moved to Vancouver in 2012 and worked as a loss prevention officer. In 2016, she was hired as a VPD Special Municipal Constable in 2016, and has worked in the Jail, in Community Safety, and in Traffic Authority. She has volunteered at Coast Mental Health – Watson House, as an activity coordinator, working with residents living with mild to moderate mental illness.
ORANDY SCARLETT
Orandy was born in May Pen, Jamaica, and raised in Clarendon. He developed a passion for soccer at a young age and excelled at the sport. In 2009, Orandy immigrated to Vancouver with his parents and siblings. He embarked on a two-year church mission in Alberta before returning to Vancouver. Orandy has worked in the maintenance, manufacturing, global logistics, and retail industries. He graduated with honours in the Law Enforcement Studies Diploma Program through the JIBC. Orandy has been volunteering as a role player at the police academy, and as a Citizen’s Community Safety Specialist with the Surrey Crime Prevention Society. He is fluent in Jamaican Patois.
COLETTE STUKEL
Colette was born in New Westminster and raised in Surrey. She graduated from Johnston Heights Secondary School with honours and enrolled in the Criminology Program at SFU. In 2016, Colette graduated with a Certificate in Police Studies and a bachelor of arts degree with a major in criminology. Since 2010, she has been employed in the restaurant industry and is an active volunteer with both the South Vancouver and Ross Street Community Policing Centres. Colette is fluent in Slovenian.
EDDIE TRAN
Eddie was born and raised in Burnaby. He graduated from Burnaby South Secondary and obtained his degree in criminology and a Certificate in Police Studies from Simon Fraser University. Eddie worked in the loss prevention field and received two consecutive Chief Constable’s Commendation letters for his work. He recently worked with the VPD’s Traffic Authority, and volunteered with the VPD’s Collingwood Community Policing Centre and Citizens’ Crime Watch. Eddie speaks Cambodian.
ROBYN VENEMA
Robyn was born in Richmond. She graduated from Earl Marriott Secondary and began her studies at Acadia University in Nova Scotia. Robyn began with a double major in environmental science and geology, but soon transferred to psychology and Spanish. In her fourth year of university, Robyn travelled to Spain and became a co-op/working student, studying Spanish and working at an elementary school teaching English. After university, Robyn was part of a team of students that made a humanitarian trip to the Middle East. On her return to Canada, she travelled to Quebec and studied French in a language immersion program for five weeks. Robyn is fluent in both French and Spanish.
