City police Detective Constable Zach Dagg is a Canada Beyond the Blue Agent of Change Award winner.
He’s being honoured for his leadership in promoting mental health and wellness within policing.
The North Bay Police Service says the award recognizes police service uniformed or civilian members who actively work to normalize conversations around mental health and reduce stigma in the workplace.
City police say through his own personal experience and recovery journey, D/Cst. Dagg developed mental health and wellness training that is now delivered to every member of the police service.
He also serves as a peer supporter, is a member of the Wellness Committee, and successfully advocated for colleague Cst. Andrew Keating to be included on the Beyond the Blue Ontario Police Suicide Memorial.
“D/Cst Dagg’s advocacy for member wellness is inspiring, but it is the work he quietly does behind the scenes that sets him apart,” says Chief Daryl Longworth. “He is there for his fellow members as a peer supporter. He is helping build a greater understanding that mental health matters, and he is laying a foundation for the next generation of officers entering this profession.”
Along with serving the community while working to build a culture within policing where mental health is prioritized, members feel supported, and no one feels they have to suffer in silence, police say D/Cst. Dagg is also working toward establishing a memorial recognizing officers who have died in the line of duty, as well as those whose deaths were because of the line of duty.
“I’m honoured to receive the Agent of Change award. This recognition belongs to the small group of dedicated members in our service who have been working alongside me to build a healthier, more supportive policing culture,” says D/Cst. Dagg. “Strengthening our members’ mental health and wellness must be embedded in our profession, as fundamental as use of force training. The consequences of not doing so are far greater for the policing community and their families.”
D/Cst. Dagg credits Chief Longworth and outgoing North Bay Police Association President Inspector Vince Corrente for their progressive outlook in supporting many of the positive changes that have begun to take root within the service.
