The following statement was issued today by Tom Marshall, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. It was also read in the house of Assembly:

Police officers training program

I rise this afternoon to inform this honourable house about a police officers training program announced in the Speech from the Throne. This training initiative provides a long-term strategy for the training and development of police officers in the province.

Through a partnership with Memorial University, we will recruit, train and introduce a total of 75 new police officers to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary over a three-year period. This recruitment level includes 15 new RNC positions in each of the three years, and the balance of 10 officers per year through attrition. The RNC will begin to introduce these new officers into the force in 2005.

This program is in the final stages of development and will begin in the upcoming fall or winter semester at Memorial University. This program will include two semesters of academic training, supplemented by a practical work term with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. Recruits will pay regular tuition fees while at Memorial University.

The addition of 45 police officers to the RNC will greatly increase the ability of the force to deal with the law enforcement issues it encounters on a daily basis. The new training program at Memorial University should also significantly increase the pool of qualified candidates available to the police force, thus ensuring its ability to deal with the increased number of retirements anticipated in upcoming years.

This government is committed to the safety and security of communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, and I am proud that this government will enhance public safety by making sound investments in policing.

2004 03 25                                        1:55 p.m.