Exposure to OPP, RCMP, Customs among many highlights

SARNIA, Ontario, January 10, 2007 - When students come to Sgt. John Flesher’s classes in Lambton College’s Police Foundations program, they are asked to bring along respect and self-discipline.

They’re not just there to learn about the Provincial Offences Act or the Highway Traffic Act, one of the toughest courses for aspiring police officers. They’re also there to build a work ethic that will bring success in a policing career.

“I treat the class like they’re going for a job interview. We build general respect and discipline, and they’re also taught that safety is a priority,” said Sgt. Flesher, who heads up the Point Edward OPP detachment. He’s been policing in the local community for more than two decades and teaching at Lambton College for five years.

“I’ve always enjoyed teaching. It’s a big benefit to me, keeping my feet in both worlds,” he said. He has taught at the Ontario Police College in Aylmer.

“His teaching is brilliant. He’s a fountain of information,” said Const. Angus Campbell, London Police Service, who graduated from Lambton College’s Police Foundations program on the Dean’s Honour List in Spring 2004.

“If you work hard for him, he will work hard for you,” he said, noting Sgt. Flesher was instrumental in helping him land a summer job in the Summer Experience Program, Marine Program, OPP Petrolia detachment, accommodating a ride-along to get a first-hand look at policing, and providing a strong reference to London Police Service that resulted in job offer shortly after graduation.

Flesher draws on his own experiences to teach students, and from time to time introduces students to other aspects of policing, inviting an RCMP recruiter, a radar operator, or a Sarnia Police officer into the classroom. Const. Tim Ives, Traffic and Marine, OPP Petrolia detachment takes over the classroom when Sgt. Flesher has other commitments.

Graduates from the program are now working for Halton, York and Waterloo Regional Police, London and Sarnia Police Service, and OPP detachments across the province. Others have careers in Canada Customs and the RCMP.

Recently, Lambton College formalized an agreement with the OPP to have Sgt. Flesher fit teaching into his work schedule in return for the opportunity for officers to enroll in the College’s Continuing Education program.

The two-year Police Foundations program provides graduates with a broad education in human relations skills and the interpretations of social interaction. The program includes the study of police powers, race relations, ethics, communications and investigation.

For more information on this, or any other full time program, visit www.lambton.on.ca, e-mail info@lambton.on.ca or phone 519-541-2403.