The future of local law enforcement got some hands-on experience with policing technology this week.
The Timmins Police Service opened its doors to Police Foundations students from Northern College, who learned more about screening devices, fingerprinting, and 911 communications.
“The Timmins Police Service values any opportunity to promote the technological aspects of modern policing. We see this as a genuine opportunity to reach out and engage an audience that may be seeking career opportunities in law enforcement and community safety. The younger generation certainly has an appreciation for the use of technology and its applications in modern law enforcement," said Marc Depatie, Timmins Police corporate communications co-ordinator.
Jacob Weedon is in his second year of the Police Foundations program.
He said it really means a lot to be able to see the technology being used in the field.
“I think it’s very important for us as students and hopefully future law enforcement officers, that we understand the need to understand those technologies and perhaps prepare ourselves to learn about those technologies,” he said.
The breathalyzer and fingerprint machines are tools he said they don't have access to at the college. He said being able to ask questions and understand how everything relates to the Criminal Code is helpful to their schooling and preparing for the future.
Now that he's in the last year of the program, he plans to apply to police services in the coming months. If successful, he hopes to join a police force and be heading to the Ontario Police College for further training in the spring.
The hands-on tour of the station included understanding the vital role 911 communications staff play in contributing to officer safety and community well-being, said Depatie.
"We also paid particular attention to the most modern applications of Approved Screening Devices (ASD) and the Intoxilyzer as they are cutting-edge tools deployed by our officers in their impaired driving enforcement efforts.
"Const. Erin Halt of the Timmins Police – Forensic Identification also made herself available for a presentation of the Livescan fingerprinting equipment, which is also state-of-the-art technology, and the modern and efficient manner in which we collect fingerprints from accused persons.
"The students of the Police Foundations program also benefited from an informal address from Chief Dan Foy who shares the impression that it is vital for the Timmins Police and prospective officers and dispatchers to know and appreciate the value of current law enforcement technology."
