Recruits celebrate graduation in Taber from police academy
Twelve recruits from Troop Tango Charlie One were celebrated at their police academy graduation ceremony which featured plenty of distinguished guests.
Held last Friday in the Taber Auditorium, all 12 recruits were able to hit the stage and take in their success after six months in the police academy. There were two recruits from Taber Police Service, three from Canadian Pacific Police Service, five from Blood Tribe Police Service, and two from Manitoba First Nations Police Service. Graduates included Tristan Fournier-Jones, Nathan Montgrand, Eric Neufeld, Kyle Antochow, Meghan Oakley, Nicholas Sahl, Tressa West, Tristan Black Water, Coral Ann Fenner, Autumn Jerry, Alexandra Mason, and Matthew Orme.
“Wherever you serve, no amount of training will prepare you for all of the challenges that await you in your new roles. As officers, many complicated, demanding tasks will need your full attention and focus,” said Tyler Shandro, Minister of Justice at the ceremony.
“You will be called upon not just to understand the law, but also to apply it fair. You may have to diffuse potentially violent situations, manage people with unpredictable personalities, or counsel grieving families, and you will also need to maintain a positive relationship with the communities that you protect. This is a daunting prospect to say the least. Finding that balance between authority and empathy can be difficult, but that’s why a law enforcement career is so rewarding. Like few other jobs, it asks you to live up to a tradition of bravery and compassion.”
With graduates now departing to police agencies across the country, Shandro implored the 12 to continue to be the best version of themselves.
“If difficult times should arise as you do this challenging job, I hope you will think back at this day and think of all of the folks in your life who will always have your back.”
Taber Police Service Chief Graham Abela also took to the stage to give some words of wisdom for the departing recruits. Abela was proud of how all 12 handled their time in Taber and applauded the fact they were upstanding citizens throughout the entire six months.
“From day one, I said this would be an awesome experience for you, and I hope that promise we spoke about at the start when I said these friendships that we’re going to make here during this academy are going to be lifelong friendships. That’s your network and I want you to rely on that network and those friendships as you continue to police Canadians and Albertans. I’m very proud of the ways that you carried yourself in this community while you have been here in the last six months. No complaints about your behaviour, and as the chief, I’m very happy about that. You are absolutely ambassadors for your organizations and I want to give you thanks for that.”
And while this portion of learning may be complete, Abela encouraged them to continue to learn and grow as officers.
“Please don’t let this be your last learning opportunity as police officers. Please ensure you take the training given to you to your organizations. I also encourage all of you to reach out and continue your post-secondary education.
This is a learning journey and if you stop learning, you will not reach your full potential as officers.”
Representing the entire troop, Eric Neufeld expressed his appreciation to all of those in attendance who supported the troop throughout the last several months.
“On behalf of Troop Tango Charlie One, I wish to extend our gratitude and thanks for making today possible. We’re honoured by your presence and I am honoured to represent our troop. For many, this is a dream of a lifetime. This day represents months and years of planning, training, and hard work. I’ll never forget our first day of academy. As the 12 of us filed into the basement of the Taber Police Service, we found a table with our name cards on it. We sat and made small chat and talked with each other, trying not to be awkward or weird and trying not to show how excited we really were,” he said. “These skills will make us the best police officers that we can be. We’ve been examined and encouraged and moved. We’ve been instructed and inspired, and yes, there have been times where we’ve been thrilled and even a little terrified.”
Even though the officers will be going their separate ways now, the bond they share will be beneficial for each and every one of them as they prepare for their next challenges as new police officers.
“I’m honoured to be a part of this troop - this bond that we share. As we dismiss this morning to our separate agencies, I have no doubt that we may be apart, this bond will draw us together. To the many instructors who came from various agencies, thank you for giving your time and talents to teach us. Without you, we would not be here today,” added Neufeld.