Scott Police Academy showcase offers unique opportunity for Grade 8 students

Members of the Regina Police Service presented to the students of Scott Collegiate, looking to recruit for the Scott Police Academy. (Damian Smith/CTV News)

Grade 8 students in Regina made their way to Scott Collegiate on Tuesday, to learn more about the various roles in policing.

Tuesday’s demonstration included the bomb squad, SWAT team and canine unit. However, the school is also looking to recruit students to the Scott Police Academy (SPA), for students from Grade 9-12.

“We know that based on past experiences, students don’t have the greatest experience with police officers,” said Cst. Tim Logan, the school’s resource officer. “So this is just one of our ways that we’ve done as a police service, and the school board has come up with a plan to do that.”

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As the program enters its sixth year, the academy’s outlook is inspired by a program in Reseda, California. While that program focuses on military and police, the SPA looks to focus on tightening community bonds in the city.

As a Grade 9 student in her first year with the SPA, Valora Alary is happy she joined.

“I enjoyed it because I got to interact with the public, and I got to see what my life could be like if I decided to be a police officer,” she said. “They teach us how to be closer with each other and communicate without speaking. I think that’s a really good thing for us as an academy to be able to do.”

According to Sgt. Todd Jerome, the academy currently holds 70-80 students. The first graduating class was only two years ago.

“You get attached,” Jerome said. “I’m not here on a regular basis, but constable Logan is and he gets attached to the kids and they get attached to him too. They get to build a nice bond.”

With the potential to stay in the program for four years, some students take the skills for life, and some for a potential career path.

“I want to be a police officer,” said Rizwan Baig, a fourth-year student. “Currently, I’m serving in the army reserve. It’s very hard becoming a police officer, they’re very strong people.”

Baig has wanted to become a police officer since he was eight years old, interacting with officers at school, and watching them on TV.

He’s an example for the program being a perfect fit for his career.

“I gained leadership skills, communication skills and skills to work with others. Before that, you never really had that coming out of Grade 8.”

While future police officers may turn out of the academy, leaders still want to use this as an opportunity to foster the future leaders of Regina.