During the last week of class, second-year students in the Police Foundations program at the Owen Sound Campus took part in field training with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Emergency Response Team.

Students learned orienteering methods using both compass and GPS devices, which are applicable in search and rescue operations.

They were also able to put their theoretical learning in the Police Powers I and II courses into practice by conducting mock searches on a residence, a vehicle and a barn.

OPP dog handler Const. Frank Lauzon demonstrated how quickly a search could be concluded using a drug-sniffing police dog to locate hidden contraband.

In the final activity of the day, several students donned OPP body armour, weighing about 27 pounds and raced after the dog handler as he searched a rural property for a “missing” person.

The day concluded with a barbecue at which students had the opportunity to thank the OPP Emergency Response Team instructors for the informative and fun dynamic sessions. Seeing the application of what they learned in the classroom translate in the field was a wonderful way to cap off the two-year program.

The Police Foundations program looks forward to continued collaborative activities with the OPP and hopes to recreate this exercise next year.

Police Foundations prepares students for employment at all levels of policing and related jurisdictions and justice professions.