(Facebook/Prince Albert Police Service)

By Nigel Maxwell

Public safety

Prince Albert Police Service aims to boost female officer numbers

Dec 3, 2021 | 2:00 PM

In an effort to help expand the diversity of its ranks, the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) is hosting a special training session next week for women considering a career as a police officer.

The free session at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Gym, will include training tips and information about preparing for the Police Officer Physical Abilities Test (POPAT). Women police officers currently with the city’s police service will be in attendance to answer questions.

According to statistics discussed during last week’s Board of Police Commissioners meeting, women represent 17 per cent of sworn members within PAPS, and 30 per cent of its overall employees. It’s a number Police Chief Jon Bergen told paNOW he would like to increase.

“Having a diverse police service is part of our brand. It’s something the police has worked towards for many years,” he said.

Bergen was asked by board members if there was a specific target he had in mind. He explained the national average for female sworn members is about 22 or 23 per cent

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“So we are well below that so I think our first reach would be to surpass the national average,” he said, adding many organizations have set goals to be at 30 per cent by 2030.

Also touched on in the report was ethnicity, with 26 per cent of sworn officers identifying as indigenous, and representing 24 per cent of the whole service. Bergen explained the police service is working on a number of initiatives to better its representation within the community, including a mentorship program with Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) Western Region II.

“We are in discussions with Prince Albert Grand Council to run a similar program,” Bergen said.

Recently hired Deputy Police Chief Farica Prince represents both female and indigenous officers. She told paNOW that leadership across the nation has committed to having organizations that represent the community

“We are unique here in Prince Albert where we have a higher population of indigenous people and you know when we look at diversity statistics within our organization, you know we have some work to do in some areas, but we are also doing very well in others,” she said.

Those women who are interested in attending the training session on Dec. 9, must be at least 18 years old; have proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (two doses); be at least 14 days past their second dose; and must bring indoor running shoes and a water bottle.

Inquiries can also be directed to Sgt. Kathy Edwardsen by email at kedwardsen@papolice.ca.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell