Training courses are continuing through the summer months at the Law Enforcement Training Centre in Lac La Biche.
A group of 30 conservation officers from across the Western Canada are currently in the midst of their18-week Western Conservation Law Enforcement Academy training at the centre, says Chris Clark, the director of the Law Enforcement Training Program.
Their program will finish with a September graduation.
In August, the next class of peace officer recruits will begin their 12-week training in the Community Peace Officer Induction Program at the centre.
Clark says the training centre continues to draw interest from government agencies, municipalities and individuals from across the province for a wide-range of training programs from individual courses to multi-week sessions.The unique peace officer training program in Lac La Biche includes learning defensive tactics, traffic stop procedures, strategic communication, emergency vehicle operations, drill, legal studies, first aid, mental health education, and shotgun training.
The most recent class of 16 peace officers cadets graduated from training at the end of May. Clark said recruits for that class came from Whitefish Lake in northwestern Alberta, the Lethbridge Police Service, the city of Brooks, the Municipal District of Opportunity and Sylvan Lake.
"It's a great way to show people all that we have to offer in our community and at the training centre," said Clark, adding that the graduation classes also bring more people to the community. "Graduation ceremonies like our last one have a reception which was attended by the community peace officer graduates and their families, along officials from Lac La Biche County, Portage College, Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services, and the RCMP."
New $4.4 million driving centre
In the coming months, an expansion of the municipal training centre could include its own space for emergency vehicle training. Currently training is held at the air tanker base at the Lac La Biche Airport – but only during the months when firefighting aircraft are stationed at the base. If approved by Lac La Biche County council, a $4.4 million budget will go towards the creation of a municipally-operated emergency vehicle operations centre, complete with driving tracks and more programming space. If approved, and once municipal councillors agree to a new funding bylaw to debenture the funds, the new centre would likely be located west of Lac La Biche on the southern edge of the Lac La Bcihe Transport industrial park.
The Law Enforcement Training Centre delivers the Community Peace Officer in partnership with Lac La Biche County, Portage College, and the provincial Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services.