Brihard said:
Container- I'm curious about the opportunities for courses and training. I've been told I'm off to Depot in a few more months (just awaiting a course loading- I have a half hour phone appointment tomorrow to figure that out), and I'm curious what sort of opportunities there will be for development in a first posting. My understanding is that in the really small detachments it's hard because it's more challenging to spare a guy from shifts; presuming I could end up somewhere where this is more of an option, what sorts of things might I get sent to train up on?
Your first year out of depot is kindve plotted out for you already. 6 months completing your requirements for field training. But after that somethings open up. Some courses will present themselves and others based off your reputation will open up.
You can anticipate, if you dont wind up doing a series of isolateds like I did, going on an Investigative Interviewing course, the conducted energy weapon user course, field coaching, Inland Water Transport if your detachment has a boat, same with quads and sleds. Then as you move along after two years or so search warrant courses and mentorship programs within the Units open up (major crime, serious crime etc). You can take the property crime examiners course and work with the Forensics folks on certain things. Child interview, sex assault investigations. And if you get into the General Investigations Section that a lot of small rural detachments are opening up a new stream of courses opens up.
The two year mark, but usually three, is when the Gucci side stuff like ERT, Tac troop, and things like it open up. Containment marksman, Forensic Ident, intelligence analysis. But you can be the ideal candidate and if your Det Com doesnt want to support you your SOL.
We have the "A-250" program that pays tuition upon successful completion of post secondary- while I was in my first Isolated I did the Dalhousie Police Leadership certificate on the forces dime. Same with Criminal Intelligence Analysis through the Canadian Police College- paid for and done through distance. So even when you are isolated things are available.
We have varying levels of instructors as well. Its not unheard of for a 2 year guy to become a firearms instructor, or a use of force/arrest and control instructor. Then once you do a new stream of courses opens up in each of those streams. Those types of streams are alot based on your reputation. They dont just offer slots to the detachment- so if your interested you need to prove yourself and you cant do that in your first year. But they are there and they are always recruiting.
The courses are never ending really. But if your detachment is short you wont hear about them. The training budgets were also slashed this year so it might be lean for a while.
*EDIT* I should add- youll be surprised at the things you can get into because youre a police officer. Lots of stuff like Arson investigation or Conservation related courses will let you attend and receive their courses as well. Keep yourself networked.
I ve trained and been retained to consult on numerous provincial, municipal, and federal agencies, and received courses from numerous ones in return in a variety of subjects. All based on getting to the trainer stream after about 3 years.
Shoot me a PM when you finish if you wind up in the prairie region and I can help you out.
2ndChoiceName said:
Yikes, that sounds nothing like what I was thinking of. After you've done your three years in one spot, can you stay there if you wish or do you have to be moved?
depends. In isolated posts they want you to move- for a bunch of reasons. But then its not written in stone because some guys have extended.
After a certain amount of time youll have a staffing interview where you say where you think your career is headed and then they'll say where they'd like to see you go. You have some input but the force ultimately has the say. Whats true right now likely wont be in a year as the whole staffing system is being civilianized so we arent sure what the system will look like after that.
What were you thinking of? Im curious- maybe what youve thought isnt off point. It really depends on where you are- but you sign the line saying you'll go anywhere.
