The Treaty Three Police Service is currently hiring.
Cheryl Gervais is Acting Inspector with Treaty Three Police Service. She began her policing career in 2003 when Treaty Three Police Service was born.
“I became interested in policing, actually, early on in high school through Co-op education with the OPP Kenora detachment. It was after that point I started gearing my education and my employment opportunities towards policing.”
Aware that it would take more than a fitness test to get her badge, Gervais put a lot of effort into covering her bases.
“I knew it was important to gear my employment, my education, towards policing. So, a lot of security jobs. And I knew that life experience was very important when it comes to the hiring process. So, I actually went away to York University in Toronto for school. Not so much for the education, but also for that life experience of being in a bigger city center away from home.”
Born and raised in Shoal Lake 39, the move was a huge culture shock, but immensely valuable in the long run.
“I knew life experience was very important to come into a career of policing. Having that understanding that, more often than not, you’re coming into people’s lives at a challenging point. And so, as a police officer, it’s very important to have the life skills and coping skills.”
Treaty Three Police Service is currently hiring experienced officers and new recruits. Gervais is most excited about interacting with youth considering a career in policing, emphasizing that the Service is willing to train applicants with little to no experience.
The application process includes an interview, fitness testing, psychological testing, and, if the applicant is successful through those stages, three months at Ontario Police College in Aylmer. Afterwards, they study for five months at the Ontario Provincial Police Academy in Orillia. Some applicants may shy away from leaving home, but Gervais assures that the pros outweigh the cons.
“You’re leaving your support system, your family, your friends for five months, and that can be challenging,” Gervais sympathizes. “But my words of support to those recruits having those challenges is that five months is really a drop in the bucket when it comes to a career.”
Beyond the traditional work of a police officer, Treaty Three Police Service also initiates and supports projects throughout their 23 communities.
In recent years, they’ve done a lot of work on the prevention of violence against women. These include the Quenindizuin Project, the Not For Sale Project, and the Supporters Survivors Program.
These days, the Spirit of Hope Program and the Maanaji’iwin Project are at the forefront, addressing human trafficking and violence against women and girls prevention work. The Maanaji’iwin Project also supports female indigenous youth that are moving on to bigger city centers for school.
Such involvement and care is rarely found in police departments, but is a regular part of Treaty Three Police Service.
To apply to join Treaty Three Police Service, contact the human resources team at their headquarters in Kenora.
