The newest members of the Vancouver Police Department were sworn in today by Chief Constable Adam Palmer at a COVID-19-safe ceremony in Vancouver.
Most of the 27 new recruits were born in Canada, along with one each born in Russia, England, and India, and two born in Taiwan. Languages spoken include Russian, Hebrew, Korean, Punjabi, Hindi, French, Vietnamese, and Mandarin.
“This diverse group of recruits come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences – a clear reflection of the community they serve,” says Constable Tania Visintin. “They will be a tremendous asset to the VPD.”
The eight women and 19 men receiving their police badges today will now begin rigorous police training through the Justice Institute of BC (JIBC) and on-the-job training within the VPD. After the training is complete, they will graduate with peers from other agencies at the JIBC.
The new recruits have studied in a wide variety of areas, including criminology, youth justice, international law, psychology, philosophy, kinesiology, English, behaviourial neuroscience, political science, international studies, automotive service, technology, law enforcement studies, and peace and conflict studies.
The VPD values volunteer experience, and these members have given their time to victim services, Crime Stoppers, community policing centres, Fraser Health, BC Children’s Hospital, Honour House, the Canucks Autism Network, the Tsawwassen First Nation, other police agencies, The Aids Support Organization in Uganda, and to building classrooms in Sri Lanka.
The VPD is currently hiring police officers and special municipal officers. For more information, please visit JoinVPD.ca.
