When was the last time you heard the names; Mire Farah, Gaurav Sanhotra, Mark Hernandez, and Olivier Gallant in the same Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Recruiting Class? Rarely. Yep! These are some of the names read out at the EPS graduation on October 12, 2018, at Edmonton City Hall during the EPS Class RTC# 143 Graduation.
EPS confirmed to Diversity Magazine that EPS Class RTC# 143 was not the most culturally diverse class that has completed training with the EPS, however, 42% of the members were from underrepresented communities, those that self-identified as indigenous, sexual minority, and visible minority.
EPS will not confirm that this is an ongoing trend but responded in this way, “The EPS is committed to identifying, recruiting, mentoring and training the most qualified applicants to represent and serve the citizens of Edmonton. In order to accomplish this goal, the Recruiting and Selection Unit utilizes initiatives such as the Run With Recruiter program, APREP Orientation, BDI Orientation, and the Mentoring Academy,” Mitchell Flaman, Sergeant, Recruit Selection Unit, Edmonton Police Service.
Supported by families and friends, twenty-nine members of EPS Recruiting Class #143 got their graduation passes after six months, transitioning them into full police officers on October 12, 2018, at Edmonton City Hall.
A very demanding, high pressure, at times dangerous job, the graduates heard these lines echoed by every speaker. Not only is the job demanding, the officers will be serving an increasingly diverse Edmonton population. Statistics Canada reported that one in every five Canadian is an immigrant. This implies Canada is changing. The EPS is not immune to this change as it struggles to reflect the diverse communities that it serves. The flavour of diversity and inclusion was introduced to this transformational EPS graduating class in this way, “…Our community is changing, and so is the police service… You are the new generation that is leading the wave of transformation as our community to become much more diverse, inclusive, and acceptable…,” Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission, Tim O’Brien.
The graduating officers were ushered in by the beautiful pipes and drums melody of the Edmonton Police Service Pipes and Drums, punctuated by the rendition of the Canadian National Anthem by the Edmonton Police Service Chorus. The graduation was spiced by the ceremonial ritual of The Edmonton Police Service Guard of Honour, inspected by the dignitaries present. Oh! yes, this time around, the routine inspection of the Guard of Honour mounted by the graduating class was different as the methodic military-styled very focused, and stern way of marching from one officer on guard to the next, giving a stern military look at the officers, from head to toe, by Chief Rod Knecht was notably absent.
The next time I hear the commands; AT EASE, ATTENTION…, while covering EPS Graduation, I will be keen to see how close to the Edmonton populace are the faces of the graduating group.
