Regina, Saskatchewan – May 28, 2008 – What is required to train cadets to be ready for operational duty and fully aware of the inherent risks and dangers associated with policing?
Members of the media may now have a better understanding thanks to an open house held today at the RCMP Academy, "Depot" Division. The Academy took the opportunity to showcase newly acquired interactive video-based driving, firearms and use-of-force training simulators-recent enhancements to its technology-assisted learning approach.
The introduction of these new learning tools to the current Cadet Training Program (CTP) is part of a research project conceived with the input of the broader police community. The project was led by the Government of Canada's Canadian Police Research Centre. The goal is to enhance officer skill acquisition and retention starting with the fundamentals of driving and firearms training, and moving on to response to high-risk calls requiring immediate intervention.
"The Cadet Training Program continues to evolve in response to the growing challenges of modern-day policing and to recent advances in police training," "Depot" Division Training Officer Chief Superintendent Bob Smart said. "The addition of technology-assisted learning is a natural extension of our problem-based learning approach that teaches cadets to continuously assess, analyze and respond to any given situation. Technology-assisted learning tools further develop the cadets' analytical and response skills."
.Smart is quick to point out that the new technology is intended to enhance and augment, not replace, traditional live fire and in-car skill acquisition and retention.
"This new technology enables the Academy to safely create complex, high-risk situations that have high fidelity to the real world. Cadets are exposed to enhanced levels of multitasking, high-demand decision-making and performance requirements, while experiencing high levels of physiological stress. Once in the field, members will have a better idea of what to expect and how to deal with elements that trigger emotional responses during stressful situations," states Training Innovation and Research Analyst, Dr. Garry Bell. "Learning and performing under high stress represents our cadets' and members' best assurance of coping in the real world environment."
Other recent innovative additions to the CTP include a mock marihuana grow operation and a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, which were both included in the media tour.
The RCMP is an organization that responds to the needs and concerns of its communities. This drives the RCMP Academy to adapt the CTP to ensure that cadets can safely respond to a call for service immediately upon graduation, thus enabling them to better deliver on public and police officer safety. The Academy has been training members of Canada's national police agency since 1885.
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For more information please contact:
Marie R. Patterson
Communications & Events Management Services
RCMP "Depot" Division
306-780-5707
306-537-1307 (cellular)
