College hosts first Indigenous police training for cadets in new partnership

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on February 5, 2025.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

Five police cadets participated in an Indigenous policing training course Tuesday at Ómahksípiitaa in Medicine Hat College to help gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous history, culture and community needs.

Elder Duayne and Elder Wilma Crow Chief shared their stories and experience with police recruits as part of their intense 24-week training program that began in January.

“Indigenous policing is essential in building trust, respect and stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” reads an online post by the college.

This is the first year the Medicine Hat Police Service has partnered with the college to offer cadets in-class training. In previous years the service worked with instructors from Lethbridge College (now Polytechnic), who would travel to Medicine Hat to teach cadets investigative skills, legal studies and report writing.

Throughout the training period the college will also provide student actors who will simulate real-life emergency scenarios for the five cadets, four of whom are planning to serve with MHPS after graduation.

Another round of cadet training is scheduled this fall.

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