Cross-trained cadets ready for field work

WATCH ABOVE: A new collaboration between Lethbridge College and the Medicine Hat Police Service saw its first graduating class celebrated in Medicine Hat Friday. Matt Battochio reports.

LETHBRIDGE – In a unique training program, Lethbridge College teamed up with both the Medicine Hat Police Service and the Canadian Pacific Police Service, conducting a 17-week training program for aspiring police officers.

“It’s been a great partnership and a great example of combining our efforts to develop a field-ready recruit in a very cost sustainable model,” said Lethbridge College Dean of Justice and Human Services Martin Thomsen.

After more than four months of hard training, Friday saw the cadets receive a credential of academic achievement.

“They’re ready to go out in a car and do field training,” said Medicine Hat Police Chief Andy McGrogan. “And then eventually, hopefully in about three or four months, they’ll be on their own in a car.”

The program is the first of its kind in western Canada – combining classroom work with field training in real-life settings.

“We… work with them so that we’re not duplicating,” said Thomsen. “So they don’t have to take one of our graduates and retrain them. That’s duplication, that’s a waste of money.”

Those involved believe the benefits of the partnership go far beyond the training of cadets.

“The huge thing here is all the learning that occurred by the cadets of course, but also organizationally.  There’s so much that we learned as an organization moving forward through this process,” said McGrogan.

While some are calling the program a home run, Chief McGrogan believes this should just be the first stage of an officer’s training.

“This should be like step one.  We now build on it with their field officer training time and different courses and education and experience that they gain over the next several years.”

With the initial run of the program a success, the organizations hope to revisit the training in two years.