New Victoria police training program seeks to build bridges with community groups – BC [Video]

The Victoria Police Department is rolling out a new approach to training its recruits aimed at building better bonds with the community.

Chief Del Manak announced a new program on Wednesday dubbed “Before the Badge” he says will help build trust, respect and communication between officers and the city’s diverse communities and cultures.

Under the program, community policing candidates will attend week-long, culturally-immersive sessions designed by community partners, such as the Jewish First Nations and LGBTQ2 communities.

There they will learn more about people from religious, cultural and special interest groups, especially those who have been historically marginalized or underrepresented.

“What we want to do … we want to make positive change; we want to make sure the officers know from day one, in fact before they get their badge, the importance of community connections, and they will certainly get that at VicPD when they join our organization,” Manak said.

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