Prince Albert Police Chief Jon Bergen (left) with MN-S Western Region II Area Director Sherry McLennan. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Building the ranks

P.A. Police enters recruiting partnership with MN-S Western Region II

Mar 10, 2021 | 5:28 PM

With the goal of further diversifying its ranks, the Prince Albert Police Service has entered into a special new partnership with Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) Western Region II.

Two successful Métis applicants will be part of a six month mentoring program. Upon successful completion they will get hired by the police service and go to Regina for formal training at the Saskatchewan Police College. Police Chief Jon Bergen said the police service works hard to represent the community.

“We are in many ways leading across the country and definitely representing our community, but we know we can do better on that and we know this program will offer that,” he said.

Prince Albert Police Chief Jon Bergen addresses the media during a press conference Wednesday afternoon. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Bergen explained the successful applicants will learn all aspects of the organization such as radio protocols, fingerprint and photograph training, as well as use-of-force training. They will also shadow officers and take part in fitness training, towards completion of the Police Officer Physical Abilities Test (POPAT).

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“Our ultimate goal is to help people that have an interest as a Métis person to serve the community of Prince Albert, to be successful with the Prince Albert Police Service,” Bergen said.

This mural, donated this week to the Prince Albert Police Service, was created by a Métis artist Jennifer Brown and hangs in the boardroom of the downtown substation. The missing faces represent Canada’s missing women. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Under the terms of the new agreement, MN-S Western Region 2 will provide $100,000 this year to help fund the two participants and will assist in identifying successful applicants.

“The mentorship program will be an opportunity to build on our relationship with the police service, and work together to both encourage more Métis youth to consider a career in law enforcement and inspire others in their community,” area director Sherry McLennan said.

Members of the Prince Albert Police Association have also expressed their support for the mentorship program.

“The Prince Albert Police Association recognizes the importance of having the police service reflect the different ethnicities in our community,” association president Josh Peterson said. “We welcome any initiatives that will increase recruitment of quality individuals, and anticipate this program will identify candidates who will not only represent our community with pride, but also reflect our community.”

Those interested can find application packages on the police service website. They can also contact the MN-S Western Region II office by phone.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell