Recap 2025 CPCA ATS Vancouver
- bewanyshyn91
- Nov 2
- 8 min read
Great memories from a week spent in Vancouver with some of the best people from across Canada. The week served to reinforce in my mind how precious police chaplains truly are, and what a blessing they are to the law enforcement officers they selflessly serve. Thanks to the diligent photography acts of service from our former 1st Vice President Robert Parmenter, you can now find 267 photos on the "Gallery" page of our website serving to solidify our memories. Your phone will enable you to press on a photo and save it to your camera roll if you desire to save some of these photos off our website (this is not an option with a laptop). I've arranged them in chronological order beginning with our Monday evening meet & greet and concluding with our Friday classroom time of prayer. Here is a link that will take you directly to our gallery of photos https://www.canadianpolicechaplainassociation.com/gallery
Thanks to two years of dedication from the chaplains on the ATS Planning Committee, Oct 20 - 24, 2025 will remain in our memories as an exceptional week of equipping, connecting and strengthening us as police chaplains mentally and spiritually. Our theme of "Better Together" was a resounding anthem throughout the week and was echoed by each presenter whether police officers, psychologists, or our own police chaplains. On behalf of the CPCA Executive, I express our gratitude to the entire ATS Planning Committee: Chair Bill Ashbee, Co-Chair Dave Field, Inderjeet Singh, Marty Cayer, and Russ Ideson. These police chaplains selected relevant topics and invited exceptional presenters who engaged us with their information and their personalities. Well done, gentlemen.
At our opening ceremony Monday morning, we were graced by the presence and words of two delegates: Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, and RCMP Chief Superintendent Wendy Mehat. Both shared words from the heart while expressing their gratitude for the service of police chaplains they have engaged with through service to police officers in British Columbia. It was heart filling to hear some of those chaplains were amongst us at the ATS. Once again, I express my appreciation for the police chaplains who hold membership with the CPCA.
ICPC President Paul Ellis attended the full ATS and honoured the CPCA National Leadership Team on the first day by presenting as a gift the ICPC President's Challenge Coin. The CPCA formed in 1982 birthed from the leadership of the ICPC. We are grateful for the support and partnership we continue to enjoy through President Paul Ellis and the International Conference of Police Chaplains.
Each morning began with an inspirational reflection. Faith leaders were selected from four different faith groups as we continue to journey together as an Association that embraces and celebrates a multi-faith approach to police chaplaincy. Thank you faith leaders for sharing words of inspiration: (LT to RT) Rabbi Yechiel Baitelman, Chaplain Inderjeet Singh, Imam Abd Alfatah Twakkal, and Chaplain James Raddatz.
For the first time at an ATS, a multi-faith panel of presenters gathered as questions were posed by host CPCA-BC Regional Director Bill Ashbee. Each faith leader provided insight on issues police chaplains face as they serve diverse law enforcement officers and their families. Thank you to each faith leader for sharing knowledge that will assist police chaplains in the future.
All the presenters throughout the week brought their training and expertise to instill knowledge to our chaplains on topics that are relevant today and in the future. Topics and presenters were as follows: Trauma Response - Dr. Matt Logan; Life as a Chaplain - Imam Abd Alfatah Twakkal; Officer Involved Shootings - Chaplain Tim Schroeder; Mass Casualty Response - Sgt Amberia Sovdi; PTSD - Dr. Kevin Lutz (Wounded Warriors); Ceremonies & Etiquette - RCMP Inspector Heather Lee and Team; Crime Scene Etiquette - Chaplain Bruce Ewanyshyn; ERT Mass Officer Shooting - Survivor and ERT Cst. Damien Pellow; VPD Peer Support Unit - Sgt Lorna Berndsen & Cst Marty Cayer; Billy Graham RRT - Carol McFetridge; and What is the CPCA? - Chaplain's Curtis Hinds & Bruce Ewanyshyn.
On Thursday afternoon it was time for business and our Annual General Meeting. A vote to amend the CPCA Constitution took place. The vote was unanimous amongst our members to remove the restriction limiting the President, First Vice President, and Second Vice President to two - two year terms of service. Following the Constitution change, nomination packages were put forward resulting in the following: Bruce Ewanyshyn re-elected for a third two year term as President; Curtis Hinds elected for a two year term as First Vice President; James Raddatz elected for a two year term as Second Vice President. Congratulations to the elected officers who look forward to serving our members alongside Secretary/Treasurer Phil Sovdi and Registrar David Field.
Personally, I'd like to thank former First Vice President Robert Parmenter for serving on the CPCA Executive for several years. Robert was a blessing to the leadership team, and during his tenure he took on many tasks. Robert has agreed to continue to serve the members of the CPCA as Chair for the Constitution Revision Committee and Chair for the Merchandise Committee. At the ATS, Robert brought an additional three suitcases of merchandise and manned the table daily providing members the opportunity to purchase challenge coins, golf shirts and all the apparel we have for sale on our website https://www.canadianpolicechaplainassociation.com/shop-1
All the photos you see were taken by Robert. Thank you Robert for extraordinary service to the CPCA - past, present, and future. If you obtained some CPCA merchandise from Robert and gave him an IOU, please reach out to him at rparmenter@shaw.ca
The formal banquet occurred on Thursday evening. It was hosted by CPCA-BC Regional Director Bill Ashbee. An explanation of the Fallen Officer's Table was shared, and the Honour Role, Moment of Silence, and Toast to the Fallen were given by President Bruce Ewanyshyn.
During the year, four CPCA members had successfully completed all the course requirements for achieving Basic Credentials through the CPCA. The following chaplains were awarded their Basic Credentials certificate: Daniel Dihele, David Field, James Raddatz, and Benjamin Yablonski. Congratulations to our newest credentialled CPCA members.
A book that has been inspirational in my Christian walk is, "Culture of Honor" by Danny Silk. As Faith Leaders, we perform well at honouring a person’s accomplishments at their Celebration of Life, and rightfully so. I’m not suggesting this service be diminished in any way; however, several years ago, I felt inspired to begin to find ways to honour persons’ while they are amongst us. I try to be habitual in expressions of gratitude towards those who make sacrifices through selfless acts of service, or who simply perform tasks that bless others. Words are powerful and so are actions, which brings me to the introduction of The President’s Trophy. The inscription above the recipient’s name on this trophy reads, “most impactful CPCA member from 2024–2025; however, their acts of significant leadership date back to 2019. In 2019, Chaplain Charles Swartwood’s zeal to connect with and support chaplains throughout Ontario led to him approaching the CPCA Executive for permission to develop the “Police Chaplains of Ontario Association.” Charlie wanted to see chaplains become better connected, supported, and trained locally so that they would be better versed and equipped for service to meet and address the situations that are unique to the province of Ontario. Charlie was emphatic that he wanted to honour the CPCA and have the PCAO as a branch of the CPCA, accountable to the CPCA. In 2020, Charlie established the PCAO and set up a Board of Directors. Monthly meetings led to discussions and the establishment of an in-person Annual Professional Development Day commencing in 2023. In addition, Charlie and his team have put together Zoom training sessions on a regular basis. On a national level, the CPCA Executive monitored the operations of the PCAO for three years and deemed it as a pilot project for the establishment of CPCA Regions and Regional Directors. In 2023, Charlie served on the Constitutional Revision Committee and drafted the proposal for CPCA Regions and Regional Directors based upon the model he established in Ontario. That proposal was approved at our AGM in Winnipeg in October 2023. Charlie’s acts of service to Ontario police chaplains, his vision, his dedication to God and prayer led to the significant improvement of how the CPCA serves and supports its current members across Canada. As a true forerunner for chaplaincy in Ontario and on a national level, a humble servant, a gracious leader, and a cherished colleague to many, it is fitting that the first recipient of the President’s Trophy is Rev. Charles Swartwood, Regional Director of CPCA-ON, and loved and respected chaplain of the Stratford Police Service.
In March, I had received an invitation to attend an awards ceremony honouring recipients of the the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Unable to fly to Ontario from Saskatchewan, I didn't receive my medal. CPCA-ON Regional Director Charles Swartwood surprised me at the banquet presenting me with the Coronation Medal. I was awarded the medal for my service to police chaplains across Canada through the CPCA and my service in chaplaincy over the years to law enforcement officers.
The banquet keynote speaker was VPD Departmental Sergeant Major Ray Gardner. Ray delivered a personal and inspirational message through his stories.
Here is a collage of only a sampling of the banquet photos that are available for you to view at this link https://www.canadianpolicechaplainassociation.com/gallery
Our 2025 ATS concluded on Friday morning. After two presentations, we made space for what we as police chaplains hold as top priority: prayer. Chaplains prayed for each other around the room.
A final thank you to to everyone who made the 2025 ATS in Vancouver an event to remember. It took the collaboration of many persons including our Academic Standards Committee (Chair Katherine Bourbonniere, Dave Field, Miriam Mollering), our ATS Liaison Officer (John Siderius), and the Planning Committee. A thank you as well to the staff of the Sandman Hotel Downtown Vancouver for ensuring our comfort and accommodating our needs in many ways. Emily was amazing providing set up and technical support throughout the week.
To all who attended the ATS, a short reminder that if you have not completed an ATS Evaluation Form, please take a few minutes to do so through this link: https://www.canadianpolicechaplainassociation.com/ats-evaluation-form
What's next? A video team were hired to record three sessions during the ATS: Life as a Chaplain, Officer Involved Shootings, and Crime Scene Etiquette. These recordings will be used as a foundation to establish three new CPCA online Intermediate Courses. These will enhance our training library and are part of a larger plan to be able to offer CPCA Basic Credentials to police chaplains who are unable to afford the expenses of attending an in-person national training seminar.
Plans are underway for our next national training seminar to be hosted by the Toronto Police Service. TPS Sgt Ravi Virdi intentionally attended the 2025 ATS in order to acquire the knowledge he and his team will need to begin to plan the 2027 NTS in Toronto. Sgt Virdi oversees the Member Wellbeing Wellness Unit for the Toronto PS. Thank you Ravi for investing your time in the CPCA.
There are 267 ATS 2025 photos on our CPCA online Gallery. If you use your phone device, you will be able to press on a photo and save it to your camera roll. This is not an option available if using a laptop or computer. Click on the button below to access all the 2025 ATS photos. You can also view photos of special events accumulated over the years on our website.
On behalf of the CPCA National Leadership Team, thank you to all those who attended and supported the 2025 ATS in Vancouver.
Warmest regards,
Rev. Bruce Ewanyshyn
CPCA President
ICPC Director of Region One
Comments