The Grande Prairie Police Service is continuing to grow following the graduation of its second class of the Experienced Officer Program.
The three graduates are described as having “strong ties” to the Grande Prairie area, with each having either grown up in the city, worked out of the Grande Prairie RCMP detachment, or previously worked in the area and were “eager to return.” The three bring a wealth of experience in dismantling organized crime, rural policing, and child forensic interviewing, and already serve as mentors to the GPPS’ first recruit class.
GPPS Chief Dwayne Lakusta has maintained his agency’s commitment to building a progressive and highly responsive policing model and says the graduation marks a moment that will help to modernize local law enforcement even further.
“The recent addition of three experienced officers has already enhanced our presence in Grande Prairie,” he says. “These officers will play a pivotal role in patrol duties, training, and specialized functions as we continue our journey toward becoming the police of primary jurisdiction police service by early 2026.”
The GPPS Experienced Officer Program takes place over approximately five weeks, and includes training on the Police Act, trauma-informed care, Indigenous values, firearms, mental health, first aid, immediate action deployment, and more. All GPPS training is delivered locally in partnership with several community organizations.
Two of the experienced officers have already been working together with the RCMP, joining three other GPPS colleagues at the Grande Prairie detachment, while the third remains a full-time resource to the Caribou Child and Youth Centre.
The long-awaited first class of new GPPS recruits is on track to graduate on February 21st of next year.
