Education

C M Y K PAGE 5 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT • SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2020 5 EDUCATION GUIDE Public safety is an evolving field and needs skilled individuals trained in contemporary practices. Stress management, mental health first aid and cross-cultural teachings are integrated in this program so you gain the skills needed to support our vibrant, growing communities. Develop communication skills, emotional intelligence and critical thinking; engage in realistic scenario training; challenge yourself physically and collaborate with community in extensive volunteer activities. Assiniboine offers intensive eight-month Public Safety certificate and advanced diploma programs. If you're a college or university graduate, the advanced diploma program allows you to build on your previous life experience. Learn more at assiniboine.net/publicsafetyadvanced or register for an upcoming online program information session at assiniboine.net/infosession. The Public Safety program is the first of its kind in Manitoba and is offered in partnership with the Brandon Police Service. Assiniboine is the only post-secondary institution in Manitoba to offer a Public Safety program authorized by Manitoba Justice. Learn by Doing | assiniboine.net NEW PROGRAMS! Now accepting applications for fall 2021, including five, all-new programs in Brandon: » Digital Art and Design » Media and Communications » Power Engineering (4th and 3rd Class) » Public Safety » Web and Interactive Development PUBLIC SAFETY AT ASSINIBOINE A New Program for a Modern Era Introducing W hat started with the 2006 introduction of the col- lege's Police Studies cer- tificate, a basic recruit training program, has grown into a human services approach to public safety that includes programs like First Nations Officer and Communi- ty Safety Officer training, Restorative Justice, and various partnerships with public safety agencies to offer in-service training opportunities. In 2015, the college opened its Public Safety Training Centre (PSTC), an investment in providing leader- ship and opportunity for this sector. The PSTC brings a range of simula- tion and training equipment into a single environment. Most recently, the college has in- troduced an eight-month advanced diploma in Public Safety designed to prepare students, who have a prior post-secondary credential, for ca - reers in the public safety sector in- cluding municipal, regional and In- digenous police service, corrections and security. Ian Grant and Jack Ewatski have both been instrumental to the evolu- tion of Assiniboine's leadership in the public safety sphere. Grant, a former Chief of the Bran- don Police Service (BPS), played a crucial role in the Police Studies pro- gram taking shape. Ewatski, a former Chief of the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS), joined the college a few years later to co-ordinate the expansion of public safety offerings, namely the First Nations Safety Officer program. Ewatski has since been hired as the Chair of Public Safety at the college and Grant has continued in a senior advisory role for the department since 2018. Through their own experiences working in policing and public safe - ty since the 1970s and 80s respec- tively, Ewatski and Grant have seen the transformation of the public safety environment and both see a path forward that considers public safety through a more comprehen - sive social lens. "In our training, we're planting the seeds so that people, when they get to their respective agencies, are go - ing to know that a more holistic ap- proach is required to address com- munity safety and well-being. It's not just a policing issue or a health issue or a social service issue alone," says Grant. This community approach is something Grant has had his finger on since learning of a model called Community Mobilization, which takes a proactive approach to com - munity safety, bringing multiple social service agencies together to support at-risk individuals before a crisis situation occurs. While with BPS, Grant worked hard to bring Community Mobilization to the Westman region in 2015 and has seen its positive impact over the years. This community approach, he says, is the way forward for public safety. And the college's approach to training can replicate and comple - ment this holistic, community focus. "We want to help shape the fu- ture of policing and public safety in a positive way so people think, 'Hey, they're a partner. They're not just tell- ing us what to do or telling us to step aside. They're a partner. They're go- ing to work with us,'" says Grant. "I think policing has to change. I think public safety has to change. And I think there's a real opportunity right now for that to happen. When some - one receives the college level of train- ing, when they get to a police agency or a social service agency, they bring that collaborative, community per- spective because that's part of what their training is all about." "We're hopeful that individuals who eventually want to get into a po - licing role realize that it's important to see a broader view and have good critical-thinking skills. And you can learn those with higher education," says Ewatski. "And for somebody coming in to the Public Safety ad - vanced diploma program with a credential under their belt, they've shown that they've been able to build those skills and they'll be able to use those skills to enhance their own experience, but also to enhance our program." And those interested in being part of the path forward for policing and public safety can trust Assiniboine's reputation and track record. "We've had a great success rate in terms of people who graduated from our police studies program," says Grant. These grads have gone on to work not only at police agencies, but with corrections and sheriffs, border ser - vices, in First Nations communities and with the RCMP. "I think that's a big part of what will make this new program impact - ful," says Grant. "It builds on the success of what we've done with Po- lice Studies and builds on what the student brings to the table with their previous education." ASSINIBOINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE Community approach key for public safety education Providing leadership in public safety is a key component of Assiniboine Community College's strategic direction; the college's work in public safety has continued to evolve to meet the needs of local, regional and provincial public safety agencies over the last 15 years. " In our training, we're planting the seeds so that people, when they get to their respective agencies, are going to know that a more holistic approach is required to address community safety and well-being. " - Ian Grant, Senior Advisor, First Nations Officer and Community Safety Officer training ASSINIBOINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PHOTO Physical fitness and drill training is an integral part of the program's curriculum. ASSINIBOINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PHOTO Students learn skills such as interviewing during live scenario training.

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