After running short staffed for most of the year, the Altona Police Service is back to full strength.
Hired in July, Constables Brent Krahn and Xerxes Tabunar have now completed their recruit training and graduated from the Saskatchewan Police College on December 13th. This brings the department back up to its full contingent of five constables, one corporal, one sergeant and one chief.
Related Stories:
"Big relief. Operating two bodies short, that was our limit," said Chief Dan Defer, noting officers logged many extra hours to ensure the citizens of Altona were not affected by the vacancies during this time.
Having completed the formal education part of their training, the two new constables have started six months of on-the-job field training.
"This is where they are assigned to two certain officers and they start learning how to work on the road," explained Defer.
Initially, Defer says the two will mostly be observing their training officers before the roles get flipped and they do most of the field work while the training officers observe.
"They've got forms that need to be completed, different assessments along the way, and the field coaches will be coaching them and advising us (the leadership) as to how it's going."
Meantime, the Altona Police Service is thanking both Morden Police Service and Winkler Police Service for their support during this staff shortage.
"Although the need never arose, both Morden and Winkler Police Services were ready to assist with extra officers in the event they were required, and this reassurance was greatly appreciated," said a news release. "Our three services work closely every day, and this is just another example of the great working relationships the three agencies maintain."