Sergeant Rose Kucharuk was responsible for managing the Training and Professional Development Unit. Wherever possible, local and regional training providers were used to contain costs and support our local economy. The number of training hours increased by 563 hours for our In-Service Training and by 131 hours for our local training initiatives, which indicates the dedication to keep our travel and accommodation costs down. Actual and budgeted training costs increased marginally, however we are still in the range of 1.5% of our overall police budget spent on training.
The Canadian Police College and the Ontario Police College, which includes their outreach programming continues to be the base for our training. We supplement this training by attending other Police Services and Police sponsored venues, which allowed our members to attend approximately 250 courses, seminars, conferences and/or symposiums.
Internally, our service continued a Platoon Training Initiative. Platoon Trainers were tasked with completing the re-qualification training (Defensive Tactics and Firearms) during regular work hours. A partnership with the Municipality continued and assisted in our Defensive Tactics and a partnership with the Kent Cloverleaf Gun Club continued to facilitate the firearms component. Three in-service days were held and the following training topics included: Situational Judgement Scenarios and Firearm Drills, Prisoner Management and Persons in Custody Training, Occupational H &S Importance of Reporting Incidents, Victim Services - VQRP Update, Mobile Crisis Team - Updates, Medical Issues involving the care of in-custody persons, Race Relations - Orientation on the Islamic Faith and Voir Dire and DV prosecution.
The Fitness Challenge continued and forty-seven members achieved their 2010 Ontario Police Fitness Pins of those nineteen obtained a score of 100% or better.
The secondment of Constable Rick Gyorfi to the Ontario Police College continued in the Firearms Section instructing recruits until December 2010.
Use of Force Report Summary |
2010 |
| Total Use of Force Reports | 69 |
| Firearm (Discharge to protect self) | 0 |
| Firearm (Drawn effect arrest) | 19 |
| Firearm (Drawn to destroy an animal) | 16 (9 raccoons, 5 deer, 2 skunks) |
| Aerosol Weapon to Prevent Commission of Offence | 18 |
| Taser | 9 |
| Beanbag | 0 |
| Arwen | 0 |
| Impact Weapon - Hard | 1 |
| Impact Weapon - Soft | 0 |
| Empty Hand Techniques - Hard | 3 |
| Empty Hand Techniques - Soft | 0 |
| PDS Apprehensions | 3 |
Media Relations
Constable Michael Pearce is the Public Information Officer dedicated to this unit. This unit is in its second year of existence. The positive response from the local media has continued to grow. The use of social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, have been very popular with the community. The Cop Camp for Kids Program received high praise from the kids and parents and therefore there are plans for a second Cop Camp for Kids Program in 2011.
Promotional Process
Twenty-six members registered to write the Provincial Promotional exam and entered the 2010 process. The Chief initiated a promotional process for the ranks of Sergeant, Staff Sergeant and Inspector. Eleven members made the Sergeant’s Promotional List, six members made the Staff Sergeants Promotional List and three made the Inspectors Promotional List. There was one promotion to the rank of Sergeant, one promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant and no promotions to rank of Inspector.
Recruiting Process
The CKPS Recruit Selection process is designed to achieve our goal to hire the best possible candidates. We hired two candidates to fill two Constable Positions off the 2009 recruiting list and sent them to the Ontario Police College in January 2011. In October 2010, we commenced a new recruiting process and in keeping with Municipal and Board hiring practices, all qualified applicants who reside in Chatham-Kent were invited for that testing. This process will be completed in the Spring of 2011.
Educational Reimbursement Program
This program provides financial support to members who pursue professional development by taking College and University courses on their own time. The Service reimburses officers for tuition only at a rate of 80%. Seventeen members took advantage of that program in 2010, at a cost of $12,084.98.
Risk Management
Risk management activities include review of WSIB reports, departmental MVCs, workplace inspections and other Health and Safety activities, as well as periodic review of Service procedures. Defensive tactics, vehicle operation training, etc. gives our members skills to reduce their personal risk, while other training increases their knowledge and skills. In 2010, our In-Service Training included a session on Excited Delirium, delivered by a local Physician. This information is vital to stem in custody deaths.
Planning and Policy
We are an active member of the Ontario Association of Law Enforcement Planners (OALEP). In 2010, with the assistance of retired member Chris Kennedy considerable progress was gained on the revision of our Policies and Procedures. The completion target date for this process is the Spring of 2011.
Health and Safety
The Joint Health and Safety Committee met regularly in 2010 to address health and safety concerns. The Committee conducted regular workplace inspections at all Service facilities. The issues identified were relatively minor and subsequently addressed.
The number of occupational and non-occupational injuries and accommodation issues in 2010 were quite comparable to the 2009 levels. However, the number of officers on Temporary Accommodations resulting from Non-Occupational Injuries reduced significantly, while the re-opening of Existing Occupational Injury claims increased considerably.
The following chart provides an overview of claims and accommodation issues in 2010, with comparison statistics for the preceding two years.
Occupational & Non-Occupational Claims |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
| Occupational (WSIB) Injuries | 27 | 23 | 31 |
| Occupational (WSIB) Injuries (resulting in lost time) | 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Re-opening of Existing Occupational Injury Claims | 8 | 1 | 7 |
| Current (2009) Off Work Occupational (WSIB) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Temporary Accommodations Resulting from Occupational Injuries | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| Permanent Accommodations Resulting from Occupational Injuries | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Temporary Accommodations Resulting from Non-occupational Injuries | 6 | 15 | 4 |
| Permanent Accommodations Resulting from Non-occupational Injuries | 4 | 3 | 2 |