Police beef up cadet program
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/12/2015 (3677 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A popular police cadet program is back this year, and stronger than ever.
The Brandon Police Service Cadet Corps’ ranks have expanded this year to 37 dedicated members from a high of 31 last year, with 21 of last year’s members returning.
In its second year, the well-liked program will just see a little tweaking.
“We’re kind of doing the same thing as last year, but just intensifying it a little bit more,” said Brandon Police Service Const. Alice Potter, program creator and instructor.
The BPS Cadet Corps helps build self-esteem, confidence and leadership in teens.
It includes pushups and drill, but cadets also have fun as they learn about policing through demonstrations by BPS officers on such subjects as tactical response and fingerprinting.
This year, Potter said, the program will add the Criminal Code to the curriculum.
This is 14-year-old Ben Bower’s second year in cadets.
“I really enjoy it. I just don’t know what there is about it, I just really enjoy it,” said Bower, who learned to shoot clay pigeons during trips to the gun range. “It was the first time I ever shot an actual gun.”
He enjoyed it so much, he recruited his girlfriend, Kyllie Chalmers, who joined in February.
Ben’s mom, Leann Bower, said the program teaches responsibility and gives youth a chance to volunteer in the community.
Seeing her son as a cadet gives her pride, she said, and she enjoys seeing the youth perform drill — seeing her son literally fall into line.
“We don’t get that at home,” she said, laughing.
Brandon Police Association president Kevin Loewen presented the BPS Cadet Corps with a $2,000 cheque on Tuesday evening.
The money, raised through the association’s annual charity golf tournament, will be used to buy cadets uniforms and send them on field trips.
Supporting a program that gives youth an appreciation of police work makes sense, Loewen said.
“It seems to me to be a great partnership,” Loewen said. “It’s a great way to support a program that shows the better side of the police officers of the community.”
The Brandon Knights of Columbus Council 1435 has contributed funds in the past, and is looking at other ways to partner with cadets.
“We’ve got a portion of highway that we clean up,” Grand Knight Denis Badiou said. “This year, we’re going to see if we can line up the cadets.”
The program is still accepting cadets, and anyone interested can email Potter at alice.potter@brandon.ca.
» ihitchen@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @IanHitchen