CPKN Announces New President

 

After a comprehensive nation-wide search and the Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN)’s Board of Director’s unanimous approval, Sonia Poulin has been appointed as CPKN’s next President.

Poulin joins CPKN with more than 25 years of leadership experience within the justice and legal sectors and has held several progressively responsible positions in law firms, academia, government, and non-profit organizations.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sonia as the new President of the Canadian Police Knowledge Network,” says Jim MacSween, Board Vice-Chair and Presidential Search Committee Chair, and Chief, York Regional Police. “We are confident that her exceptional leadership skills, experience, and vision make her the ideal person to guide our organization into the future and build on the incredible work of our outgoing President, Sandy Sweet, and the entire CPKN team.”

Since 2017, Poulin has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Justice Education Society (JES) based in Vancouver, British Columbia. In her role, Poulin leads JES’ strategic direction and oversees a network of up to 75 staff and approximately 150 contractors who empower people to access and deliver justice in Canada and globally.

During her tenure, she has guided multi-year projects that extend across 12 countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The projects provide customized programming and training to police officers, prosecutors, members of the judiciary, and other justice sector professionals. Poulin has also led her JES team to national recognition, securing an Innovation and Impact Award for fostering inclusion, local ownership, and innovative technology deployment.

From 2008 to 2017, Poulin served as a Director at Alberta Justice and Solicitor General. Her tenure was marked by transformative initiatives, including the consolidation of various government programs and services and the implementation of public legal information services within the Alberta Ministry of Justice.

She held a pivotal role in enhancing transparency and accessibility within the justice system, contributing to national committees, and serving as Chair of the Canadian Legal Information Institute. Her dedication to enhancing access to justice was also evident in the establishment of provincial Law Information Centres in Alberta, recognized with the Premier’s Award of Excellence by the Government of Alberta for their impact on self-represented litigants.

“I am deeply honoured to take on the role of President at the Canadian Police Knowledge Network,” says Poulin. “I look forward to building on the organization’s legacy of excellence and innovation in developing cutting-edge learning solutions for police professionals across Canada. Together, we will continue to empower our law enforcement community with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

Poulin holds a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics and French studies from Concordia University, a Master of Information Studies from McGill University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Additionally, she has studied law in the United Kingdom and Canada and is a Master of Laws in human rights candidate at the University of London.

A multilingual professional who is fluent in French, English, Spanish, and some German, Poulin’s work, and travels have taken her to over 115 countries, allowing her to connect with diverse cultures and communities.

“Sonia’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for CPKN,” says MacSween. “We look forward to seeing the impact she will have on advancing our mission to support police professionals across Canada.”

Poulin will being her role as President beginning in November 2024.