The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) presented its 2025 National Police Award for Traffic Safety to the Edmonton Police Service’s Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit (CVIU) for its Option 4 – Commercial Vehicle Training Program.
The award recognizes excellence, innovation, and initiative in improving road safety through education, enforcement, training, and community programs, CACP said in a news release on Aug. 12.
Option 4 is a free, voluntary educational program for drivers of mid-sized commercial vehicles (4,500–11,793 kg), aimed at improving road safety.
Instead of paying a ticket, pleading guilty or not guilty, drivers can choose a fourth option: attending tailored training. According to the release, successful participants have their offence notices withdrawn while gaining knowledge of legislation, safety practices, and compliance.
The CVIU developed and launched the program in 2023 after identifying a significant knowledge gap among smaller commercial operators. Many of them lacked formal training and were unfamiliar with Canadian regulations. Officers often encountered legally licensed drivers, sometimes on temporary work visas, operating heavily loaded trucks and trailers without knowledge in safe operation, load security, or trip inspections.
By end of December last year, some 581 drivers had been offered the program and 354 had completed it.
CACP said in the release that the feedback has been ‘overwhelmingly positive’.
“The winner of this award reflects the exceptional dedication and innovation across our Canadian policing community,” said Chief Superintendent André Phelps, co-chairman of the CACP Traffic Safety Committee. “This team’s leadership in traffic safety is truly commendable.” He added that the Option 4 initiative not only helps improve public safety but also strengthens relationships and helps small businesses and workers succeed while staying compliant with the law.
