Chatham-Kent’s newest Constables are a sign of hope for the municipality’s police chief.
Nine newly graduated cadets were sworn in during a ceremony at the Civic Centre on Friday, the largest class of new officers to take the oath since amalgamation and the formation of the Chatham-Kent Police Service in 1998.
In a first for the Chatham-Kent Police Service, Destinee Dagenais took her oath using an eagle feather instead of the bible to honour her Indigenous heritage.
Dagenais is a member of the Ginoogaming First Nation in Northern Ontario, and says diversity was a big factor when choosing a community to start her policing career.
“I found that it’s a very diverse force, definitely taking the steps they need to take,” Dagenais says. “I’ve had awesome support since coming here, I was involved in the Bleak House. Everybody’s been very supportive.”
Chief Gary Conn says the newly minted Constables bring a fresh perspective and more experience to the force.
“Old school mentality was finish high school and then right into policing. Those days are gone, the profession has changed, our recruiting has changed in as much as we’re looking for that life experience.”
Recruitment and retention continues to be a challenge, not only for police in Chatham-Kent, but agencies across the country.
Conn says between retirements and resignations, there are still more people leaving the force than joining it right now.
However, he has hope with the newest class and another large group expected to graduate from the police academy next year.
