Winning the inaugural Health, Safety and Wellness Champion Award is one of Karl Thorp’s proudest accomplishments.

The senior platoon supervisor for Brock Campus Security Services has prominently displayed the award in his office since receiving it last June.

“I knew I had been nominated, which is an honour itself, but I was surprised that I actually won,” he said. “My life has always been about serving the people and communities I work with. I don’t do it for recognition, but it’s a wonderful feeling to actually receive it.”

The Health, Safety and Wellness Champion Award was introduced in 2016 to recognize individuals or departments at Brock for championing a culture of health, safety and wellness. Nomination forms for the 2017-18 award are due by May 1 to besafe@brocku.ca

Nominations don’t have to be made in secret. Thorp encourages faculty and staff to ask others — including nominees — for assistance gathering information for the application.

“Don’t be shy telling someone you’re going to nominate them,” he said. “They’ll be honoured to be recognized for their efforts and can help with information to assist with the nomination process.”

Thorp believes that a nominee should be someone who’s genuine in wanting to contribute to a healthier and safer Brock community.

“Nominees should be people who do things just because they need to get done. They don’t do it for reward or recognition,” he said.

Thorp has a long history of servicing the community. After spending 12 years as a naval acoustics officer with the Canadian Navy, Thorp left the Halifax base to follow his wife’s new job to Grimsby, where he joined the Niagara Regional Police Community Policing Committee. After the committee was disbanded a couple of years later, he joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary and secured a position as a contract security guard for Brock University.

Thorp climbed the ranks of Brock Campus Security Services to earn one of the first special constable positions on the platoon. He further proved himself and was promoted to his current position as Senior Platoon Supervisor.

During his time at Brock, Thorp has been involved in several health, safety and wellness initiatives. For the past decade, he’s organized and facilitated the annual Try a Triathlon event that takes place during Wellness Day. Since 2012, he’s participated in the Rankin Cancer Run as part of the Brock University team and has been team captain for the Brock University Cyclones in the Big Move Cancer Ride. He regularly participates in Brock Cares Day of Service, most recently volunteering his time to assist the Lincoln County Humane Society and Bethlehem Housing and Support Services.

Thorp was one of the first officers trained to ride a bicycle in a law enforcement capacity at Brock. He also implemented a portable radar display near the Rosalind Blauer Day Care to notify drivers of their speed. In 2015, he brought the R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) women’s self defense training course to Brock and has since helped train close to 60 women.

If faculty and staff are unsure who to nominate for this year’s Health, Safety and Wellness Champion Award, Thorp suggests speaking with colleagues.

“Get to know the people you work with — learn about their interests, hobbies and community involvement,” he said. “If no one knows the great things someone’s doing, they’ll never receive the recognition they deserve.”