Sherri Hogan

Holland College's Atlantic Police Academy gave an experience of a lifetime to students from a Nova Scotia RCMP run youth group.

This past weekend, thirty students from the Kentville and New Minas areas of Nova Scotia attended the Atlantic Police Academy to participate in actual police training. The "Stetsons and Spurs" youth group, comprised of men and women ages 14 through 18, were partnered with police recruits to undergo various aspects of the rigorous police training. Partnered couples participated in such activities as self defence training, crime scene management, fitness classes and multicultural sensitivity training.

This event was part of the Atlantic Police Academy's initiative to become more proactive in community involvement across the Atlantic provinces. "It's not enough in today's society to merely teach police recruits the importance of community involvement. We need to become actively involved with the communities to set the example for the future," said Les Chipperfield the newly appointed Director of The Justice Institute of Canada, home to the Atlantic Police Academy.

The Nova Scotia based "Stetsons and Spurs" program is an offshoot of the Scouting Ventures program. Students attend regular meetings and training conducted by volunteers from the Kentville and New Minas RCMP detachments. The goals of the program include developing leadership skills, social responsibility and problem solving skills in youth that are interested in joining the police profession. For these young men and women the weekend provides a unique taste of what lies ahead for them should they decide to choose a policing career.

Prince Edward Island has its own group of Police Ventures. Located in Kensington, police officers from the Summerside RCMP detachment and civilian volunteers currently run Kensington Police Ventures. This group is dedicated to working with the young people in the greater Summerside area and has had a ten year history of helping Island youth to develop character and social responsibility.