Screen Capture via CPAC Michael Kerzner Solicitor General
More police officers will be graduating from the Ontario Police College starting next year.
The province has increased enrollment in the Basic Constable Training Program at the college.
“Our government is bringing much-needed relief to police services that face the most recruiting challenges,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “By expanding the BCT program, we’re making sure they get the qualified candidates they need to keep their communities safe.”
An additional 80 recruits per year will graduate from the program with priority for seats being given to small, medium-sized, and First Nation Police Services.
“As many police leaders will tell you, staffing shortages are one of the foremost operational issues at play today,” said Aylmer’s Deputy Chief of Police, Kyle Johnstone. “These shortages in any police service are problematic, however, in smaller services, the vacancies are felt exponentially.”
“With this initiative, I am certain our staffing needs will be able to be adequately maintained moving forward, which will ensure we and other smaller services can continue to operate and provide community safety.”
Basic Constable Training is the initial training program that all police officers in Ontario must complete, as required under the Community Safety and Policing Act.
The program includes courses in federal law, provincial law, traffic law, human rights, diversity and professional practice, leadership, ethics, mental health for first responders and for people in crisis, physical wellness and fitness for duty, community safety, defensive tactics, use of force and de-escalation techniques, firearms, and officer safety.
The expanded enrollment will bring the total number of officers trained per year to 2,080.
This adjustment comes a year after the Ontario government eliminated the tuition fee for the program and established four intakes per year at the college.
