New & Out of Province Applicants
All new, out-of-province and international applicants must complete the same basic recruit training. New constables will start as recruits-in-training. The majority of training occurs at the William Griesbach Training Centre (a non-residential training facility) in Edmonton.
Academy Foundations Training - 27 Weeks + 1 Week of Orientation
Recruits can expect to spend about 50% of their time in the classroom, and 50% doing practical exercises. The focus of foundational training is utilizing adult learning methodologies including problem based, experiential and contextual learning. Working hours vary, but during Academy Foundations Training recruits can expect that most of their working hours will be from Monday to Friday. Academy Foundations Training involves a number of topics, such as:
- Legal Studies – Criminal, Provincial Acts/Bylaws/Traffic Law
- Documentation and Articulation (Report Writing)
- Officer Safety Training
- Firearms Training
- Police Vehicle Operations
- Call and Patrol Simulation Training
- Fitness Training
- Fundamentals of Police Investigations
- Communication and De-escalation Training
- Divisional Contextual Learning and Experiential Learning
- Community Based Policing & Problem Solving
Graduation from Academy
After successfully completing the requirements of the Academy Foundations Program recruits will participate in a graduation ceremony that is steeped in tradition and pride.
Field Development (PTO Program)
After graduation, recruits are integrated into a patrol squad in one of the six EPS patrol divisions and partnered with a trained Police Training Officer (PTO). The PTO Program incorporates problem-based learning and critical thinking around policing and problem solving. This training is comprised of 15 sets of shifts, usually 4 days on and 4 days off with the added flexibility to accommodate individual differences in progression. Depending upon individual progression through the program, recruits can begin working independently at approximately the 9 month point from the beginning of the Academy Foundations training. Throughout the field development stage of training, recruits will have many opportunities to spend their time off with family and friends and pursuing hobbies and interests.
Post Foundational Assessment and Development
After Field Development, recruits will be brought back together for a three-week period of Post Foundational Assessment and Development, involving targeted training and assessment. Their skills will be assessed and developed further focusing on maximizing individual potential. Additional strategic training opportunities will also be provided to develop knowledge and skill sets based upon experiences to date.
Training is an exciting and a stressful time, but it is also a valuable time during which you will better yourself beyond your wildest expectations and forge lasting relationships with your peers. This is a career where the learning never stops and the training program reinforces the importance of ongoing professional development.