by Sherri Hogan

Amidst the fanfare of pipes, speeches and marching feet, the Atlantic Police Academy today celebrated its official opening and expansion.

Participating in today's ceremonies were Hon. J. L?once Bernard, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island; Hon. Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island; Basil Stewart, Mayor of Summerside; Paul Smith, Chief, Charlottetown Police Department and Director, Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police; Scott Stevens, Chair of the Holland College Board of Governors and Les Chipperfield, Director, Atlantic Police Academy.

In April 2003, Holland College announced a major expansion and renovation of the Atlantic Police Academy with funding received from the Province of Prince Edward Island. This funding would allow the Academy to both expand and modernize the facility and add significantly to the programs the Academy could offer.

Premier Binns advised that the provincial government's $8.5 million investment in the growth and expansion of the Atlantic Police Academy will help Holland College to double the capacity of the Academy over the next five years.

"This will have three major benefits for Islanders,' said the Premier. "First, we can continue to train our law enforcement people here at home. We will be able to respond positively to increasing demand for in-service programs for experienced law enforcement personnel, and this will improve the financial viability of the Academy. Finally, the expanded Academy and other new programs will add value to the City of Summerside and particularly Slemon Park, which is establishing itself as an innovative career training centre."

The project included 70,000 sq. ft. of new construction and renovated space. The new facility includes additional classroom and training space, Boardroom, office space, gymnasium, and a new state of-the-art indoor firing range. Holland House, which serves as a residence for the Academy, was also renovated and is now a customized modern residence.

"Since opening its doors in 1971, the Academy Police Academy has trained and graduated thousands of law enforcement personnel who can now be found working all across Canada," stated Scott Stevens, Chair of the Holland College Board of Governors. "As the number of students and graduates has grown, so too has the reputation of the Academy which is now regarded as the pre-eminent training institution of its kind in Canada."

The Atlantic Police Academy offers full-time programs in Police Science, Conservation Enforcement, Correctional Officer, and Private Policing and Assets Protection. Beginning this fall the Academy will offer a new program, Basic Firefighting, the only program of its kind in Maritime Canada. In addition to its full-time programs, the Academy offers over 30 in-service courses in specialized areas for law enforcement personnel working in the field.

Stevens also noted that the expansion of the Atlantic Police Academy further establishes the presence of Holland College in Slemon Park. With the new Centre for Industrial Technologies announced this week and the current facilities at the Aerospace Centre and the Atlantic Police Academy, there will be over 700 Holland College students enrolled in full-time and part-time programs in Slemon Park.