Lethbridge Police Service Chief Robert Davis offers some advice to his newest recruits during their orientation event on Monday.

Thirty-four police recruits from five police agencies were officially introduced to the public at Lethbridge Police Service headquarters on Monday.

The recruits represent the newest faces of their respective services and the ceremony marks the beginning of a 22-week training regimen hosted by the LPS.

The class features 23 Lethbridge cadets, one from the Taber Police Service, three from the Blood Tribe Police Service, four from the Canadian Pacific Police Service and three from the Manitoba First Nations Police Service.

“Our agencies will forge stronger relationships based on honesty, respect and friendship… It’s a great day to have this partnership,” said LPS Chief, Robert A. Davis.

Davis was emotional during his initial address to the recruits, saying it took him back to his first days as a cadet. He drew on those past experiences of his own to offer some advice to the fresh faces.

“Learning side-by-side, sharing that growth will make you stronger,” Davis said. “I hope by the end [of training] you will have friendships that last you a lifetime.”

The nearly five-month training regimen starts in the classroom, with eight weeks of Criminal Code of Canada instruction. For some of the recruits who come to training without a background in criminal justice education, this portion becomes even more rigorous than normal.

“From what I’ve heard, it will be very tough. [The eight weeks] will have a ton of information,” forecasted LPS recruit, Jeff Hilliard.

After that, the recruits begin scenario-based training developed in partnership with Lethbridge College’s School of Justice Studies for the following 14 weeks.

When it was his turn to address the class, Mayor Chris Spearman didn’t shy away from mentioning the challenges the City of Lethbridge faces.

“You have to understand people are in the positions they are through no fault of their own,” Spearman explained. “Everyone who is born here and everyone who comes here should have the same opportunities.”

The recruit class had an opportunity to meet each other last week for the first time and are looking forward to learning together, Hilliard remarked.

Following graduation, the recruits will be required to spend several more weeks in the field with a training officer in their respective police force, before they’re able to hit the streets on their own.