NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE SERVICE
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The South Simcoe Police Service has launched a new initiative to engage with members of our diverse communities.
The Newcomers’ Academy is a twist on our annual Police Academy for Seniors. This session invites newcomers and is designed to connect them with their police service and community partners in a relaxed, fun and informative environment. The weekly classes are held at our South Division station in Bradford and go to May 30, 2023.
Languages spoken by the participants are Ukrainian, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, Czech, Farsi, Dari, and Turkish. The classes include a wide variety of topics, police units and community services. “Students” will learn about our Traffic and Marine Unit, K9 Unit, Emergency Response Unit, and Auxiliary Unit — just to name a few. They will also hear presentations from several community partners including Bradford fire, transit, and other resources including the library and food banks.
Welcoming activities included participants pinning their home country on a map and bringing some traditional food for all to enjoy.
Special Const. Elisabeth Aschwanden consulted with several local organizations including Bradford Immigrant Community Services, YMCA Settlement Support Program, Catulpa Community Support Services and CONTACT Community Services. The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury was also a great supporter of the program.
This session of the Newcomers’ Academy is full but please stay tuned for future engagement initiatives.
The South Simcoe Police Service prides itself on community engagement and is excited about this latest initiative. We are committed to ensuring our communities are inclusive and welcoming to all.
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