Over the last few years, one topic has consistently emerged: recruitment. Even if a discussion doesn’t initially centre on this subject, it often weaves its way into the conversation sooner or later. Almost every police service in Canada has grappled with the challenge of recruiting sufficient members to meet their authorized staffing levels. For a fortunate few, the recruitment of new members has been relatively smooth. However, for many, this remains a persistent issue with no easy solution in sight. The situation becomes even more complex when we consider the recruitment of experienced officers.
At the 119th Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) Annual Summit and Trade Show, held in August in Halifax, N.S., Editor Brittani Schroeder had the chance to speak with Chief Stu Betts of Peterborough Police Service, Supt. Stephanie Johnson of Halifax Regional Police and Deputy Chief Constable Todd Matsumoto of Surrey Police Service. Their discussions centred on the various struggles, successes, and future prospects of police recruitment. Additionally, Schroeder spoke with Alissa Sullivan, Human Resources Manager at Regina Police Service, who provided valuable insights from an administrative perspective. You can read the full story on page 10.
Also explored in this edition is the topic of police training. On page 18, Sonja P. Brubacher, Meredith Kirkland-Burke and Valarie Gates dive into optimizing interview techniques for children, and on page 24, Chris Mandigma discusses how law enforcement and training in the martial arts fit together.
You will find all this and more in the September/October 2024 edition of Blue Line.
Until next time, happy reading and be well. |
