(L) Blood Tribe Police Chief Grant Buckskin with Kirsten Barwege, who joined the Blood Tribe Police Service following graduation from the Police Cadet Training program in September 2022 and (R) photo from the 2022 Cadet graduation held at Lethbridge College on September 2, 2022. (Photos: Lethbridge College)

By Justin Goulet

Indigenous Policing microcredentials coming to Lethbridge College

Jan 20, 2023 | 10:43 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new microcredential program focused on Indigenous Policing is set to be offered at Lethbridge College.

Microcredentials are short-term, flexible programs designed for re-skilling or upgrading someone’s skills.

Lethbridge College stated that the Indigenous Policing microcredential will provide “culturally appropriate education to Indigenous police services as they work to address the needs of their communities”. Courses will be available online.

The courses will be available to current officers, cadets and, where appropriate, Lethbridge College School of Justice students.

Trudi Mason, Dean of the Centre for Justice and Human Services at Lethbridge College said, “Current cadet training in Western Canada is not specific to Indigenous policing.”

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“These microcredentials will focus on restorative justice and community-based policing and will begin to bridge the gap identified by our industry partners,” Mason added.

Six microcredentials will be offered within the Indigenous Policing program. They include:

• Domestic violence/elder abuse
• Sexual abuse/human trafficking
• Impaired driving
• Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)/drug matters
• Writing
• Tribal policing

The college noted that the CDSA/drug matters microcredential is set to be delivered early this spring, while the remaining five are being developed to launch in the fall.

Blood Tribe Police Chief Grant Buckskin said, “I am pleased to see the development of these microcredentials as we work collaboratively with Lethbridge College to enhance policing in our community and beyond.”

Buckskin added, “The Blood Tribe Police Service has worked closely with the college for several years through its Police Cadet Training program and we look forward to continued success with the new course offerings.”

Completion of the program will be recognized with digital badges issued on the Badgr platform.

Trudi Mason remarked that the program has potential for growth. Mason said, “It’s not a stretch to think this suite of microcredentials could lead to an academic credential program similar to our existing Police Cadet Training program.”

“Six tribal police services across four provinces – Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba – have already expressed interest in being involved.”

Indigenous Policing is one of five microcredential programs that are being developed at Lethbridge College over the next two years. The work has been made possible due to provincial funding through the Alberta at Work initiative.

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