ODD SQUAD COP NAMED 2005 POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR

Made film about city's Downtown Eastside

One of the founding members of the Odd Squad is getting his due.

Const. Al Arsenault is an anti-drug crusader on the Vancouver police force
who is making a difference.

The five-officer Odd Squad made a huge splash in the documentary film world
with their 1999 release Through a Blue Lens.

Since then, Odd Squad Productions has released a number of gritty films that
expose life on Vancouver's mean streets.

For his tireless work in one of the nation's most drug-infested communities,
Arsenault has been given the nod as Police Officer of the Year by the 2005
Spirit of Vancouver awards committee.

"I've travelled extensively in the world and everywhere I go people love
their children," he said yesterday. "And everywhere I go societies seem to
have a drug problem.

"Nobody wants to see their kids get hooked on drugs. It's a universal theme
that seems to count toward [the movie's] popularity."

Arsenault is proud of the recognition Blue Lens has received.

"It turned out to be the most successful documentary in the National Film
Board's history," said Arsenault, now president of Odd Squad Productions.

Arsenault and his VPD comrades in arms decided to make the film when faced
with the constant despair they encountered on their beat in the Downtown
Eastside.

"I've tried arresting my way out of this problem and it doesn't seem to
work," he said. "So I would put my money on prevention and I certainly back
treatment."

The sequel will examine the lives of four of the original six subjects since
they were first filmed seven and eight years ago.

"Two of the people in our film [have since] died -- one was murdered," said
Arsenault.

Besides the tragic figures there are scenes of hope.

"Randy [Miller] is in recovery," said Arsenault. "We filmed him picking up a
new Mustang."

Arsenault has always been a square peg in a round hole. He likes to joke
around.

"For Constable of the Year I was expecting a pay raise, a parking spot and a
beer fridge, but apparently I'm getting none of that," he joked.

"It's a nice way to finish off my last year," said the 27-year VPD veteran,
who plans to retire next summer.

- - The Spirit of Vancouver is also recognizing a Firefighter of the Year for
the first time.

Rob Renning of the Vancouver Fire Department won for his heroic rescue of an
amateur fisherman last summer while strolling with his wife along Spanish
Banks.

"The fisherman threw his net and himself overboard and found out he couldn't
swim," said VFD spokesman Capt. Rob Jones-Cook.

Renning, who is a CPR instructor, swam out to the man in peril and saved his
life, said Jones-Cook.

The firefighter has received recognition for his many volunteering exploits
in the line of duty and off the job, where he coaches amateur sports, said
Jones-Cook.