TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 02/04/13 -- The Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) is now accepting nominations for the 2013 Canadian Banks' Law Enforcement Award (CBLEA), which recognizes outstanding police work in fighting financial crime against Canada's banks and their customers. This year's award will be presented at the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba on August 21st.

Jointly sponsored by the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), the CBLEA Program was launched in 1972 as a means of recognizing meritorious police action displayed by individual officers in combatting bank-related crime.

"Banks in Canada make the security and safety of their employees and customers a top priority. The banking industry works closely with the police to help ensure banks in Canada, and their customers and employees, are protected from financial crimes including robbery and fraud," said William J. Crate, Director, Security & Intelligence at the Canadian Bankers Association. "The reality of financial crime today means that police officers must often investigate cases that cross borders, overlap jurisdictions, and extend into cyberspace. This award allows us to recognize officers who have shown exceptional bravery and resourcefulness when investigating financial crimes against banks."

Nominations from banks and Canadian law enforcement agencies will be accepted by the CBA until April 30, 2013.

Eligibility

All active (at the time of the incident) law enforcement officers considered to have exhibited outstanding bravery, detective ability or other noteworthy achievements in investigations involving Canadian banks are eligible to receive the Award. Other criteria that are considered are:

--  Exceptional bravery, a degree of resourcefulness or an individual
    knowingly putting themselves at risk protecting bank employees,
    customers or bank property. 

--  Investigations involving unusual obstacles, extenuating circumstances,
    or personal sacrifice.

Additional information about the nomination process and eligibility, as well as a list of past award recipients, can be found on the CBA website at www.cba.ca/award.

Nominations from CBA member banks and Canadian law enforcement agencies should be submitted through electronic form http://bit.ly/USrsOF or by e-mail to: security@cba.ca.

About the Canadian Banks' Law Enforcement Award

Since its creation in 1972, 223 officers from across Canada have been honoured with the Canadian Banks' Law Enforcement Award for their outstanding bravery, dedication and other noteworthy achievements in combating crimes against Canada's banks. For additional information about the CBLEA, please visit www.cba.ca/award.

About the Canadian Bankers Association

The Canadian Bankers Association works on behalf of 54 domestic banks, foreign bank subsidiaries and foreign bank branches operating in Canada and their 274,000 employees. The CBA advocates for effective public policies that contribute to a sound, successful banking system that benefits Canadians and Canada's economy. The Association also promotes financial literacy to help Canadians make informed financial decisions and works with banks and law enforcement to help protect customers against financial crime and promote fraud awareness. www.cba.ca.

Follow the CBA on Twitter: @CdnBankers

Watch videos: Youtube.com/CdnBankers

Follow the CBA on LinkedIn