Assiniboine grads prepare for policing career

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This article was published 03/05/2025 (327 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG — After five years of working toward his goal of becoming a police officer — including time spent as an auxiliary constable with the Sainte-Anne Police Service — Fabian Toews is now one step closer to realizing his dream.

The 24-year-old from Niverville recently completed the public safety certificate program at Assiniboine College in Brandon, which had been recommended by a Sainte-Anne officer who had completed it.

Next week, Toews begins the second phase of his training with the Brandon Police Service, where he has been hired as a recruit constable.

“It has been incredibly rewarding,” Toews said about the program. “It genuinely felt like being part of a police academy, particularly after being hired to join Brandon Police Service while continuing to study.”

Assiniboine’s program has trained law enforcement-ready graduates for nearly 20 years.

On Friday, another 15 students graduated during a ceremony in Brandon. Of this year’s cohort, two —including Toews — have been hired by Brandon police. One is in the final stages of the competition process, and three others are expected to become cadets.

Bailey Culbertson, 20, who is originally from Melita, is in the final stages of the hiring process for the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service in northwestern Ontario.

“I’ve always had an interest in law enforcement from a very young age,” she said. “I just searched for options of what would be a good entry course to gain some background, educational-wise, for law enforcement, and I came across this. It helped me out. I ended up getting a job.”

Culbertson, who said she has an interest in the cultural background of Indigenous people, always knew she wanted to police in a remote community.

“I want to travel and gain that experience of isolated communities, of what they’re experiencing, because in Canadian northern communities, there’s not a lot of resources,” Culbertson said.

The certificate program emphasizes non-biased policing, with a focus on inclusive and culturally sensitive policing.

“We went to the Riverbank Discovery Centre for Truth and Reconciliation week,” Toews said. “We made teepees, we cooked bannock, participated in a feast and played with the children. It was a great experience to get more into Indigenous cultures.”

Since its inception in 2006, the program has had 21 classes with more than 300 grads. Ninety per cent still work in law enforcement or public safety roles. More than half of Brandon police officers are grads of the program, said former Winnipeg police chief Jack Ewatski, who is the academic chairperson for the public safety institute at the college.

He said the program continually evolves to meet the demands of modern policing.

“All police agencies right now are really facing challenges in terms of recruiting and hiring people,” Ewatski said, noting police officers are viewed in a negative light by some members of society.

“Our base program gives people the foundational aspects to do the job. We’re continuing to evolve to meet the needs of the police services to help get people out in the street, out in the field, quicker than in the past.”

The college also delivers recruit training for the Manitoba First Nations Police Service and prepares members of the Winnipeg Community Safety Team, including staff who work on Winnipeg Transit buses.

“These students represent the future of policing, and we’re committed to supporting their growth as they work toward their personal and professional goals,” said Greg Hebert, deputy chief of Brandon police.

» Winnipeg Free Press