Yung-Kai Liu

Yung-Kai Liu has been the chief of three police services.

The first Asian officer at the Ottawa Police Service, he was a trailblazer, role model and champion for the multicultural communities. His leadership and innovation in combating violence against women were recognized nationally and internationally, making him the first ever male to receive the Immigrant Women Services of Ottawa Award. Years later, he was presented the Presidential Award by the Ontario Women in Law Enforcement for addressing inequalities faced by women.

Kai was appointed Chief of the Gananoque Police Service in 2008, making him the youngest police chief in Canada and the first of Taiwanese-Chinese descent. He has later been Chief of Police with the Cobourg Police Service and Treaty 3 Police Service. In 2021, he was elected President of the Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario and Secretary Treasurer of the national First Nations Chiefs of Police Association, the first non-Indigenous person to hold these positions.

Kai is known for producing high performing organizations, championing equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, advocating for the disadvantaged, and volunteering in the community.  He has received numerous honours, including the inaugural Senator Vivian Poy Asian of the Year Award, the national " Enriching My Canada and Yours" Lifetime Achievement Award, the Award of Tolerance by the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies, and an Officer of the Order of Merit of Police Forces.

Married to Heidi for over 38 years, he has three adult children, a son in law and a daughter in law, plus three wonderful grandchildren.

For his exemplary leadership, contributions to equality and human rights, and dedication to community service, we are pleased to present Yung-Kai Liu the 2023 CPAC Professional Achievement Award.