New graduates from Ontario's Police College (OPC) are being advised to prepare and adapt to a constantly changing industry.
The third graduating class of 2019 saw 440 officers complete an OPC 12-week program. Chatham-Kent Police Chief Gary Conn was at the ceremony held in Alymer on Thursday where he shared a few words of encouragement and advice.
Conn said the job can be very challenging and interesting on a daily basis, adding that "no two days are ever the same."
He also mentioned that policing is constantly changing as it evolves and adjusts to other changes in society. His advice to the graduates is to be prepared to adapt and overcome challenges with an open mind.
"I suspect that five years from now, many facets of how policing is done now will be significantly different," he said. "Challenges and changes in technology, social media, new crimes, crime trends, complex social disorders, legislation, and public trust will require every ounce of energy, innovative thinking, and the embracing of community partnerships at a level never seen before in Canadian police work.
Conn also mentioned that officers will at times see the best and worst of humanity. In acknowledging that, he recommended that officers maintain a healthy work balance and take care of themselves.
"Don't ever forget who you were before you became a police officer," he said.
Among others to congratulate the new graduates was Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.
"I'm pleased that today's graduates are more reflective of the communities they will serve with more than a quarter being women, a third able to speak more than one language and one in four who identify as a visible minority or Indigenous," said Jones.
The OPC provides a constable training program three times a year and has trained new officers since 1962.