Police Foundations Students Test Their Knowledge with Simulated Exercises
Students in the Police Foundations program pat down the suspect after making an arrest. Submitted photo
THUNDER BAY, ON – Students in the Police Foundations program at Confederation College were participating in a series of simulated exercises today. The exercises are designed to test the students’ skills and knowledge, gained throughout the year, by exposing them to mock crime scenarios ranging from property crimes to homicide.
Not knowing what to expect, students were dispatched to an incident and were required to assess and investigate the scene/situation and respond accordingly. Eight sites were running simultaneously both on and off campus, with simulated crimes relating to assault, sexual assault, drugs, theft, property crime and homicide. 22 groups totaling almost 100 students overall participated in the culminating activity.
Volunteers from the Social Service Worker program put on their acting hats to help execute each scenario. Representatives from the Thunder Bay Police and the Ontario Provincial Police were also on site to assist with the exercises and mentor students.
“This is a very exciting day for students in the program as they are given the opportunity to apply their newly acquired investigation skills in a safe and controlled, but real-world setting,” said Rob Lyon, Program Coordinator and Instructor in the Police Foundations program at Confederation. “With actors and real police mentors in place they are put to the test; arrests will be made and charges will be laid. This exercise has evolved into a tradition and it is a tremendous way for the students to wrap up two years of study in the Police Foundations program.”
Students take the witness’s statement nearby the mock crime scene. Submitted photo.
Second year student Mike Boyechko agreed. “Today’s simulations give us as students the opportunity to take everything we’ve learned throughout the program and test our ability to apply the rapid decision making model. It helps to build our confidence in assessing the situation and ultimately in making an arrest or laying a charge.”
After completion of the exercise, students were evaluated and debriefed helping them to properly reflect on their experience, learn from any mistakes and celebrate their successes. The next month will see students prepare crown briefs to submit to faculty acting as Crown Attorneys and finally, will present the case in a mock trial.
