Media invited to attend graduation of OPP recruits

ORILLIA, ON, May 6 /CNW/ - A new class of Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and First Nations police recruits is set to graduate tomorrow (May 7, 2010), and all graduates are ready to begin their duties in communities across Ontario. The 22 women and 50 men who make up Class No.423 bring a wealth of diverse life experiences to the OPP and share the common goal of serving Ontarians to the highest standard.

Class leader Katrina Rubinstein-Gilbert spoke with enthusiasm about the past final weeks of training: "The instructors have been top-notch, pulling the group together, building their confidence and equipping the recruits for their first postings," said Rubinstein-Gilbert.

Her comments were echoed by fellow class leader, Josh Villeneuve, who spoke about the challenges involved in building many different personalities into a cohesive, effective team, within an intensive, months-long learning situation: "We just have one more class project to finish before graduation on Friday," he said. "We're almost there!"

The new officers will be serving in communities as far reaching as Sioux Lookout, Hornepayne, Brant County, Burlington, Big Trout Lake First Nation, Fergus, Napanee, Caledon, Toronto, Marathon, Mississauga First Nation, Huntsville, Red Lake, Arnprior, Moravian of the Thames First Nation, Pickle Lake, Kirkland Lake and the list goes on.

OPP Deputy Commissioners Vince Hawkes and Chris Lewis will share the duties of swearing-in the new constables, presenting them with their badges and carrying out the class inspection.

The members of Class No. 423 look forward to rewarding and exciting policing careers.

Media members are invited to attend this event to find out what it means to these graduates to be part of the "next generation" of provincial police officers.

    
    Date/Time:            Friday, May 7, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

    Location:             Georgian College Athletic Centre
                          1 Georgian Dr., Barrie
    

For further information: Peter Shipley, Provincial Police Academy, Phone: [phone]