Members of Lethbridge College's 2019 Police Cadet Training program. (Photo provided by Lethbridge College)

By Justin Goulet

Taber Police and Lethbridge College team-up for new learning opportunity

May 20, 2021 | 7:15 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge College and the Taber Police Service are working together on a new project.

The initiative will allow up to six police recruit candidates to self-sponsor their own training at the college’s police cadet training program this fall.

Until now, the program has only been available to recruits who have already been sponsored by a police service. Over the last four years, more than 40 cadets from Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Taber, the Blood Tribe, CP Rail and Manitoba First Nations police services have sent their recruits through the 22-week program. Those that graduate from the program earn an academic credential and have also satisfied all training requirements established by the Alberta Solicitor General for police constable induction training.

In the fall, the Taber Police Service will host the college’s police cadet training program and will sponsor two new recruits to enrol in the program in the traditional method.

The service will also offer the chance for up to six self-sponsored people to obtain the credential. Candidates interested in either spot must let Taber Police know about their interest by early June.

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Dr. Graham Abela, chief of the Taber Police Service, said that “high quality training and education is the foundation for the work that must be done by modern day police officers.”

“We are fortunate to have an excellent partnership with the other police services in southern Alberta and Lethbridge College, to provide this opportunity. It is awesome that we can be the first in Alberta to offer a self-sponsored candidate the opportunity to gain the academic credentials to be a police officer in Alberta, in a short-duration, intense and gold-medal award winning educational program.”

Graduates of the program will be able to apply to police services across Alberta and can highlight their completion of the program when applying for a mix of public safety positions at justice agencies in Canada.

Abela added that, “we are looking for candidates who want to make a difference in community by using their skills and competencies gained in life; through advanced education, experiencing diversity and other vocations.”

“If you are a problem solver with critical thinking skills, we are certain with the foundations we can teach you in the police academy, you could be one of our next police officers in southern Alberta.”

The college’s Dean of the Centre for Justice and Human Services, Dr. Jeanine Webber stated that, “we are proud of our ability to offer this high-quality and relevant program that meets the needs of our partner agencies.”

“By focusing on competency-based education, we ensure graduates of the Police Cadet Training program are ready to serve their communities. We are pleased to be at a point with the program where we can offer this training to self-sponsored cadets, giving individuals the opportunity to learn these important skills for their own career development goals.”

The college’s Police Cadet Training course launched in March 2017 and teaches pieces such as de-escalation skills, interpersonal program solving, cultural competency, professionalism, adaptability, community service/responsiveness, driving, firearms, public safety, team work, communication and organizational awareness.

It is the only police training program of its kind at any public college in the country and was recognized with a gold Program Excellence award by Colleges and Institutes Canada in 2018.