Minister delighted to welcome new graduates

Tom Marshall, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, said today he is delighted to welcome the inaugural graduating class of the Police Officers Training Program into the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

�Government initiated the Police Officers Training Program in 2004 to ensure more officers are available to patrol our streets and protect our families and communities. I am delighted to see this program produce such an exceptional inaugural graduating class.� Minister Marshall continued, �These new officers have received the highest standard of modern training from Memorial University and the RNC and are ready to serve the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. They have displayed hard work and dedication throughout the training program and have earned the honour of joining the ranks of the historic Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.�

The Police Officers Training Program was announced as part of Budget 2004 to train a total of 75 police officers 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. Minister Marshall said, �In fact, we have surpassed the projected recruitment level by hiring all 28 graduates, 16 females and 12 males.� The program started last fall and cadets completed two semesters of academic training at Memorial University, supplemented by study and a practical work term with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. The new officers will be deployed to Corner Brook and the Northeast Avalon.

Minister Marshall noted that the addition of 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. �This is a concrete example of government�s commitment to the safety and security of communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, and we will continue to ensure public safety by making sound investments in policing,� Minister Marshall said. �To date our government has approved an additional 62 police officer positions for the province, 32 are now in place and a minimum of 30 others will be added over the next two years.�

The minister also commended both the RNC and Memorial University on developing an outstanding training program. �This first-class program offers modern training in law enforcement and encourages leadership. We no longer have to look to other provinces for training, we have exceptional capabilities right here,� the minister said. �The program will 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.�

Minister Marshall will be on hand Saturday afternoon at the Memorial University St. John�s Campus to present the new graduates with their badges at the graduation ceremony.

Media contact: Billy Hickey, Communications, (709) 729-6985, 691-6390

2005 09 02                                 9:40 a.m.