The Nelson Police Department’s recruiting program is producing top-performing officers at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC).
At the April 1 Nelson Police Board meeting, Chief Donovan Fisher highlighted the recent graduation of Const. Silk Edwards, who received the Academic Achievement Award after finishing first in her class of 61 recruits.
“So, she had the highest marks in the academy for her class, which was quite exceptional,” Fisher said.
He noted the recognition reflects a broader trend, with Nelson recruits consistently performing at a high level despite competing against candidates from much larger departments.
“It’s been pretty impressive considering a small department competing against 60-some other candidates in the recruiting classes that they continue to be at the top of the class and win valedictorian and all the academic achievement award, things like that,” Fisher said.
He added the JIBC has taken note of the department’s results.
“The executive director for the JIBC commented to me that although we’re doing our recruiting programs, they’re very impressed with and said the quality of recruits that we continue to send.”
The department’s recruiting model, according to Fisher, focuses on developing candidates internally before they attend the academy.
“Some of the hiring process and that sort of staggered entry through the CSO program and dispatch and some of those things has definitely gone a long way to helping us develop our people internally a bit before they go to the JIBC as well,” Fisher said.
“They start out with a bit of a leg up on maybe some of the other candidates being exposed to a lot of things here and some familiarity.”
The approach also helps new officers build connections in the community before becoming constables.
“They’re not coming back to a community as a new constable that they haven’t been in before. They’ve established those community contacts and bridges and know the way around and know the department and know the people in the community. So, you know, I think it’s a win-win-win.”
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