Interested in exploring a career as a police officer? The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) will be holding information sessions around the province this month about becoming a police cadet recruit.

Preparation for RNC officers is offered in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, which has a Police Studies Diploma Program now in its fourth year. This joint venture has allowed recruits to be fully trained in the province for the first time. It’s the only such arrangement in Canada between a university and a police force.

The diploma program offers a multi-disciplinary curriculum that gives recruits a broad understanding of what they will encounter on the job.

“The program is really geared to the the social aspects of policing, and that’s of benefit to the whole community,” explained Anne Morris, sociology professor and coordinator of the program. “Before they even start, the officers have an idea of why people get in trouble. It shows the level of commitment of the RNC to having the best-educated candidates.”

Students complete two full semesters of study at Memorial while also gaining RNC training. As well, recruits undergo rigorous physical training, and the RNC teaches them about use of force and self-defense tactics, and in the use of equipment such as handcuffs and firearms. After their coursework, the recruits complete a third semester work term placement at the RNC. Upon successful completion, they are sworn in as officers with the RNC. 

Since the program began in 2004, 84 students – 45 males and 39 females – have completed it and begun careers as officers with the RNC.  In addition to being capable of projecting a positive police role model image to the community, an applicant must have completed university level courses in English (two courses), psychology (two courses) and sociology (one course) by the end of the winter semester, 2008.

Most of this month's information sessions are open to everyone, although some are designated as special sessions for females, and followed by sessions for all interested persons.

Upcoming information sessions will be held:
Monday, Oct. 22, 12-2 p.m. in Clarenville, Room 109, College of the North Atlantic. This is a general information session for all interested persons.
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 12-2 p.m. in Gander, Room 201, College of the North Atlantic.   This is a general information session for all interested persons.
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m. Grand Falls-Windsor, Mount Peyton Hotel.   This is a general information session for all interested persons.
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007 in Corner Brook, Room FA224, Fine Arts Building, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College. There are two sessions planned: a 6-8 p.m. is intended for female candidates only; an 8-10 p.m. session is for all interested persons.
Tuesday, Oct. 30 in St. John's, Room 2001, Inco Innovation Centre, Memorial University. There are two sessions planned: a 6-8 p.m. is intended for female candidates only; an 8-10 p.m. session is for all interested persons.

The next training program for which cadets are being recruited begins in the 2008-09 academic year.

More information on the recruiting process is available on the RNC website at www.gov.nl.ca/rnc.