Graduates of the Loyalist College Police Foundations program are finding that they have a definite advantage when applying for jobs — the excellent reputation that Loyalist has within the industry. Police force recruiters who have hired Loyalist grads in the past regularly return to the campus in search of similar candidates. The relationship that the program professors have with the employers results in respectful consideration being given to the graduates that are put forward.
“Initially the faculty encouraged me to apply to police services out west as well as within Ontario,” said Ellen McCracken, a 2007 graduate of the Police Foundations program now working as a police constable with the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS). “Although I decided to remain in Ontario, it was a great feeling to have the Edmonton Police speak so highly of the Loyalist grads they had hired in the past and the regard they have for the program.”
Ellen said that the best part of her job is her co-workers. “It’s great to work with people who love what they do. It makes it a positive, motivated work environment — everyone wants to be here.”
In addition to Ellen, there are several Loyalist graduates working for the DRPS — one of whom is Josh Mitchell. Following his graduation from Moira Secondary School, Josh took the Fitness and Health Promotion program at Loyalist, intending to continue on to university and become a physical education teacher. Graduating in 2005 he discovered that this was not the right fit for him. He returned to Loyalist. “After much consideration I decided that the Police Foundations program would lead to a future that I would enjoy — a stable, rewarding and challenging career.
“When I graduated, Larry Cook, my fitness instructor in the Police Foundations program, put me in contact with the DRPS recruiter and sent an e-mail on my behalf. The next day I had an interview — for some people it takes months or even years for this to happen. I owe Larry an enormous amount.
“The courses that I studied in my program prepared me well for Ontario Police College. I had also done a work placement with the Belleville Police Service. The experience of shadowing a coach officer gave me the opportunity to see what life as a police officer would really be like. I love everything about my work and I know that I made the right choice.”
Call (613) 969-1913, ext. 2204 to arrange a campus tour and learn about Loyalist’s Police Foundations program.