Lethbridge Polytechnic, the Lethbridge Police Service and the Manitoba First Nations Police Service congratulated 10 new officers on their completion of the Police Cadet Training program last week.
All graduates are newly hired police officers who have spent 22 weeks sharpening their front-line policing skills in preparation for careers in public safety.
“These cadets are embarking on an honourable and challenging career path and we are so excited to welcome them to our police family,” says Lethbridge Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh.
Manitoba First Nations Police Service Chief Doug Palson asked graduates to remember the seven sacred teachings of truth, honesty, wisdom, humility, respect, courage and love.
“It starts with yourself and self-respect,” he says. “How you carry yourself, how you interact with the community, with your family, with your friends and the people you’re serving and working with. And while courage is self-explanatory when it comes to policing, you also have to have the courage to stand up to do what’s right. Always do the right thing and focus on being kind.”
Formed in collaboration with the core police services of southern Alberta, Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Police Cadet Training program is designed to meet industry demand and ensure newly hired officers are well-trained in both hard skills, such as firearms use and soft skills, such as interpersonal communication, ethical accountability and teamwork. It’s the only police training program of its kind in Canada.
