WPS details new cadet program

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This article was published 15/04/2010 (5739 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Police Service says its new auxiliary force cadet program has tremendous potential to benefit the neighbourhoods of northeast Winnipeg.

The program, which was launched on March 22 and is funded by the province and city, will put up to 60 cadets on the streets of Winnipeg by this time next year. The WPS is currently recruiting applicants and hopes to draw from northeast Winnipeg.

“Our goal at the WPS has always been to reflect the population we serve,” said Pat de Jong, the new program’s manager.
The program is an especially significant opportunity for those without the financial means to pursue other avenues for education and training.

“This program represents real leverage for the economically disadvantaged,” she said.

“The training is paid and cadets will earn an hourly wage of $12. They can also work full-time or part-time.”

The work those cadets will be doing covers a wide range of duties currently carried out by police officers.
Cadelts will patrol the streets, creating a more visible WPS presence. They will provide security at Winnipeg’s large events, such as the Santa Claus Parade. They will also be dispatched to certain calls received by WPS, such as intersections without functioning traffic lights, or reports of non-violent intoxicated persons. They can even be used to help secure crime scenes, cutting the number of police officers required to two from up to six.

De Jong said cadets will basically help out with everything except responding to or investigating crimes, which remains the core responsibility of police officers.

They won’t carry firearms but will be instead armed with batons and OC spray.

“We’re very excited to be able to implement these operational efficiencies,” de Jong said, noting that enabling more police officers to focus on their core responsibility will benefit not only the WPS but the city as a whole.

She added that, while the program does not guarantee cadets an opportunity to become police officers, it does represent a natural recruiting tool for the WPS.

The cadets will also work with each police district’s Community Support Unit. Police officers working with these units are especially encouraged to develop relationships with the neighbourhoods they serve and will be able to tailor how the cadets are used in each.
“This doesn’t always have to involve problems either,” de Jong said.

“The cadets could be used, for example, to increase the WPS presence at community events like the Transcona Hi Neighbour Festival. They can be engaged with the community.”

For more information or to apply for the WPS’ auxiliary force cadet program, visit www.winnipeg.ca. Applicants are subject to the same screening processes as applicants for police officer positions, including physical fitness tests and criminal background checks.

ryan.crocker@canstarnews.com