1 week Ago By Mackenzie Read
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jpg?fit=780%2C439&ssl=1" />New police recruits in Victoria will now have to undergo more training as VicPD has launched a new community training program.The ‘Before the Badge’ program aims to build better relationships with diversity groups in the city and with police.“We want to make sure that the officers know from day one, in fact before they get their badge, the importance of community connections,” Chief Del Manak said.
In ‘Before the Badge,’ new recruits will take part in a week-long training program before they start formal training at the Justice Institute of British Columbia.Manak says this gives incoming officers an insight into who makes up the community and the cultural, social and religious barriers they face. “When an officer shows up in uniform to try and de-escalate a situation, what is it that they ought to be aware of, what are perhaps some barriers into building that rapport and into providing that assistance,” Manak explained.
“So having these conversations early on, before the officers are even issued a uniform, are really positive and productive conversations to have.”So far, 13 diversity groups are participating in the program, including:2SLGBTQ+ Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness African Art & Cultural Centre African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island Chabad Vancouver Island Chinese Museum Foundation for a Path Forward / The BC Muslim Association Intercultural Association of Victoria Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island Mental Health Awareness Philippine Bayanihan Community Centre Sikh Community Victoria Native Friendship Centre Over the week-long training, the groups will meet with and present their culture, history with policing and how to avoid doing harm when interacting with members of their community.“There have been cases where there were very difficult encounters between police and Filipino’s where I think if the officers had had some training in the values and attitudes and the way Filipino’s relate to each other and police, that would have been useful and difficult or negative incidents could have been avoided,” Meyen Quigley, with the Victoria Filipino-Canadian Association, said.
Quigley said by learning more about the culture and customs, officers will better understand how to approach a situation with those in the community. She added the program will also help dispel fears some people have of police. “So it works both ways, for police officers to see us as not just the Asian gang member and for us also to see police officers as understanding and kind and compassionate,” Quigley said.
Sharon Kobrinsky, president of the Jewish Federation of Victoria & Vancouver Island, said this training also gives recruits insight into the history and ongoing stigma different groups face.“They’re going to be learning about the history of antisemitism and holocaust education,” Kobrinsky said. “We are going to be teaching them that history, that impact and how it impacts Jewish people.
”‘Before the Badge’ officially launched on Wednesday, however, VicPD started a pilot of the program in January.Manak said the pilot has already garnered positive results. “I can tell you that some of our community partners have already invited us to community events that in the past we weren’t invited to and it’s already starting to pay dividends in the relationships that we’re starting to build,” he explained.
Manak said he hopes as the program grows more, groups in Victoria will sign up to participate, ensuring local police have a better understanding of the people they serve.RELATED: VicPD to start using drone for some public events and ‘unfolding emergency situations’The post VicPD launches ‘Before the Badge’ community training program appeared first on CHEK..
