Macdonald, Acting-Sgt., Calgary Police Services, has been educating the local community on preventing identity theft and promoting Internet safety since 2002.

"My job has been mainly education and awareness, so PowerPoint has been my most important defence tool," Macdonald says.

She also has attained Certified Protection Professional designation, and belongs to the Calgary chapter of ASIS International.

Recently awarded an Order of Merit of the Police Forces by Governor-General Michaëlle Jean, Macdonald says she's honoured to be recognized not just by the community she works in, but by the security professionals she works with as well.

"For me it has been really gratifying to get so many congratulations from people in the security community," says Macdonald. "They (security professionals) are highly regarded experts. I think of them as mentors in many cases because they're so knowledgeable."