20 years of CPKN: The People – Del Manak

2024 marks 20 years of the Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN). Over the past two decades, many people have helped the Network evolve into what it is today.

Del Manak, Chief Constable, Victoria Police Department (VicPD), was first introduced to CPKN a few years after its launch. At the time he was the officer-in-charge of the Victoria Police Department’s Human Resources Division, and he was scheduled to meet Sandy Sweet and John Arnold, then President, CPKN. The two were travelling across the country to meet with police services and professionals who could benefit from CPKN’s offerings.

“We were a medium-sized police agency with a limited training and professional development budget, and we were looking for new, innovative, and affordable opportunities to invest in our people,” Manak said. “What CPKN was able to offer was out of the box thinking and nothing short of revolutionary at the time. It was a no brainer for VicPD to form a partnership with CPKN.”

Since then, the VicPD has shown their support in numerous ways. They have been an active consumer of courseware, incorporating a number of CPKN courses into their mandated curriculum since 2007. In 2017, they began using CPKN as their full service learning management system, and were one of the first services to offer promotional exams fully online from the CPKN platform.

In 2018, Manak joined the CPKN Board of Directors. Since then, he has contributed enormously in regard to the strategic direction of the organization.

“Del is constantly looking for ways the Network can better itself and ensure we are driving excellence in policing professional development,” said Sandy Sweet, President, CPKN. “We are extremely fortunate to have his support and dedication.”

During Manak’s years of support, he’s witnessed CPKN’s evolution from a small catalogue of online courses to what it is today.

“What’s fascinating about CPKN is how it continuously evolves to meet policing needs in a rapidly growing and complex environment,” Manak said. “Over the last 20 years, I have seen the Network expand and modernize, and it has created a centralized hub to connect services nationwide. This is invaluable.”

The Network – whether it is someone who has taken a course, sits on the National Advisory Committee, is a member of a training unit, or has engaged in other ways – is integral to the success of CPKN. Feedback and guidance from the Network inform the direction of courses, innovations, offerings, and initiatives, and has helped shape CPKN into what it is today.

“Partnering with CPKN was one of the best decisions made by VicPD,” Manak said. “We continue to enjoy a strong and collaborative relationship and look forward to what the future will bring.”