Saint John police offer hands-on experience at diversity camps to recruit new members

As Saint John John's demographic changes, its police force is working to ensure more diversity within their ranks.

Two diversity and inclusion recruitment events held in recent months gave participantsa peek inside the service, motivating some to apply to join the force.

Ashwani Kumar attended last week's recruitment open housebecause he's interested in becoming a police officer.

Kumar comes from a military background. His father and grandfather both served in the Indian army.

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Saint John police want to recruit candidates from diverse backgrounds

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The Saint John Police Force has held two inclusion and diversity recruitment camps this year, giving women and members of visible minorities a chance to experience the job.

Kumar recently became a permanent resident of Canada and has been living in Saint John for four years.

"Now my second home is Canada. So I'm going to serve this country," he said.

"It's such a rewarding job ... we can serve our community, serve our people, serve for humanityespecially. And it's just the kind of work where we can spread love."

Staff Sgt. Matthew Weir, a spokesperson for the Saint John Police Force, said the community's growing diversity calls for a more diverse police force.

"When you are out there and you are performing your duties on a daily basis,I mean, it is not an uncommon thing to come across a language barrier," said Weir.

"I can imagine that if I were a member of the community being able to be served in my native language, that would go over really well."

Hands-on experience

People at the workshop watched demonstrations of regular police duties such as traffic stops, K-9 chases and forensics.

Attendees also participated in hands-on activities, playing the role of an officer answering a domestic disturbance call, making arrests using handcuffs and developing fingerprints from a vehicle.

"Coming from different areas in the world, people have different perceptions of police and then they get to come here first-hand and experience what we are all about, and what we are capable of doing," said Weir.

Officer for anafternoon

Rebecca Lunchi, originally from Ontario, developed a fingerprint during the forensics demonstration.

She said this would be a memento that will motivate her to join the forensics department. "I have always wanted to be a police officer my entire life."

Lunchi said having the chance to play the role of a police officer at the event confirmed her decision.

"It gives me insight as to what I would be doing if I was to go into forensics. So I am impressed," she said."When I walk out of the door, I am going home and I am gonna apply."

Olalekan Kareem, originally from Nigeria, said he wants to work as an officer in the criminal investigation department.

Kareem was diagnosed with cancer when he arrived in Saint John two years ago.

He said his journey in Saint John has made him realize that every day is a second chance and he is excited to have an opportunity to be able to start making a difference.

"I beat cancer and that was a good one for me and also for my parents back home. And now I need to give back to the society," he said. "And I'm willing to give all my best."

He said learning how to de-escalate a situation, logically thinking while making an arrest and also the vigilant mindset while handcuffing a suspect, intrigued him a lot.

Kareem said the event made him realize how different policing can be, as he compared it to back home.

"I have seen a passion in me that likes to also solve issues and create fairness," said Kareem.

Jennifer Meekins previously worked at the Saint John police station as a detention guard.

"It still stands out as my most memorable position that I have had," she said.

Meekins currently works as a dispatcher and security in the health-care sector, but the civilian positions within the police force piqued her interest.

"I have considered [policing] for many years, so this is definitely something to go home and think about," she said.

Open to the public

Weir said it is important to have these direct interactions with the community, encouraging individualsto serve in some capacity, whether it be law enforcement or volunteer positions.

An attendee from a recruitment camp held in May is currently training at the Atlantic Police Academy to become an officer, he said.

Weir said one has to pass eight different stages to become a police officer, including medical, physical and psychological examinations.

"The process that you have to go through is more intense than any other one, and it's designed that way for a reason," said Weir.

While the events are geared toward diversity and inclusion, Weir said all interested candidateshave to start from the same level and follow the same processes to be deemed eligible.

"The process is open to anybody in the public that wants to explore a career in law enforcement," he said.