Police forces team up for recruitment event

By Justin Sibbet - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on May 18, 2023.

Herald photo by Justin Sibbet LPS Constables Allison Williams and Mike Darby help announce a recruiting event set for Friday at Lethbridge College.

From the tactical team to the K9 unit, there will be plenty to see and do at the upcoming police recruitment event at the Lethbridge College on Friday.

Lethbridge Police Service, Blood Tribe Police Service and the RCMP have joined forces to deliver a unique, all-in-one event dedicated to those considering a career in law enforcement.

LPS Recruiting Unit Constable Allison Williams says the event creates a good opportunity for all three services to fill their current vacancies.

“We are all actively hiring,” Williams said Wednesday at the police station. “For us, in specific, we have an open application until Nov. 30.”

She said the LPS is hoping to see a new class of recruits early next year, so this event should help pique interest.

“All three [police departments] are very eager to get more people involved, which is why we are having the event,” said Williams.

She sais the collaboration of this event with the other agencies also brings new benefits that would not necessarily be present if the LPS was alone in the endeavour.

“If we can get an event together for our southern Alberta agencies for something like this, it benefits all of us.”

Coaldale RCMP Sergeant David Marentette agrees that this event will help boost interest in policing as a career. He said the three police agencies also have a goal of bringing more interest to the Indigenous communities in Alberta.

“If we can get more Indigenous recruits into, obviously the Blood Tribe, the RCMP and Lethbridge, that would be great,” said Marentette in a phone interview.

He said the RCMP, among other agencies, is struggling with recruitment levels, so events like this are a possible combatant to the low numbers.

“I think that’s a thing affecting most police departments across Canada, is a difficulty in attracting and maintaining new recruits, we’re always being asked to put on more events like this to try and engage people with us at the frontline level.”

LPS is going to have a K9 unit, members of the tactical team as well as their regular uniformed officers available at the event, and the LPS will run people through the police fitness test if they are interested.

“Anybody who is interested in getting familiar with the machines can come, we can even run them through a couple rounds of it,” said Williams.

She said they will also have members from the recruitment team set up at various booths, so those interested in a career of law enforcement can speak with them about the recruitment process.

“They come chat with the different agencies, see what we all have to offer and we will have our recruiters there to chat about with them the application process, the hiring process, the recruitment process and any questions that they might have.”

Williams said the LPS is facing a string of expected retirements in the near future, so recruitment is expected to become more active over the next few years, and annual recruitment classes are the primary focus for the LPS when it comes to replenishing its manpower.

“If we can get a class of 10 to 12 for the next three to five years, that should get our numbers back up to where we want.”

She noted the LPS is also seeking to fill an experienced officer position, with applications open until the end of this month.

The event is open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend, but being one of the earliest to arrive comes with an added incentive.

“We do have pizza coming, so for the first 100 people, there will be refreshments and pizza, as well.”

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Val Matteotti Gym.