RWR started in the spring of 2012 when two students tagged along for a run with EPS Recruiting staff to learn more about becoming police officers.
The run provided a great opportunity for the students to connect directly with officers and gain some valuable insights into the fitness levels and skills needed for the job.
One of the students who took part in the first run, Joshua Hiebert, is now entering his seventh year of service as an EPS officer.
“The runs were physically challenging and gave me the desire to better myself physically and mentally,” says Const. Joshua Hiebert.
“I didn’t know any police officers personally, and the EPS recruiter was the first officer I could have an honest conversation with. I was able to learn more about various aspects of the job that I was too nervous or never had time to ask about in other settings.”
The momentum continued, and what started as a fun run soon became a core training program to prepare individuals for the rigorous standards of EPS recruit classes.
Recruiting staff saw the value of one-on-one mentoring, and this led to the creation of companion programs such as the Women’s Run with Recruiters and the Recruit Mentoring Academy, which have helped to reduce barriers and provide support for individuals from under-represented communities.
“The RWR program focused on mentorship in 2012 and the same is true today,” says EPS Recruiting Sgt. David Kabyn. “We’re here to help potential applicants pursue a policing career and it starts with a connection in an encouraging environment.”
“We set them up for success by pushing their limits and building their confidence, so it’s rewarding to see them achieve their goals.”
Feedback from recently hired applicants indicated that the RWR program has been extremely valuable in preparing for EPS Recruit Training Class. Of the 259 recruits hired over the last three years, approximately 80% participated in the RWR program.
Since 2012, over 5,000 individuals have participated in nearly 1,000 RWR workouts, ranging from long runs to circuit training with a mix of cardio and strength conditioning.
For more information about the EPS Run with Recruiters program, please visit www.JoinEPS.ca/RWR.