Lambton College has partnered with Sarnia Police Service (SPS) to launch a new program, which will help the police force address minor crimes while providing students enrolled in Criminal Justice programs with hands-on experience.
The new Community Crime Unit was announced at the Sarnia school on Wednesday.
SPS Police Chief Derek Davis called the partnership a win-win opportunity.
"There's an academic component... we're going to talk about how we gather evidence, the importance of statements, what the requirements are in statements," Davis said. "Then from a practical aspect, the students will actually compare photos of the unknown people who have committed a crime, they will attend locations to take witness statements, they may collect pieces of evidence, [and] conduct follow-up with victims."
Students will stop short of proceeding with an arrest, during which time an SPS officer will take over the investigation.
"This is experiential learning. They would be like any other civilian member of the organization," Davis said.
Cst. Uriah Dodge was hired from within SPS to act as the supervising officer for the program.
Over time, Davis hopes these types of co-op placements will help attract interest in other programs such as the Auxiliary Unit, or in other roles within the organization such as dispatch and records clerks.
During Wednesday's announcement, Davis referenced feedback gathered through community surveys last year, which found a concerning lack of confidence in city police. Nearly half of respondents said they didn't report minor crimes such as theft because they felt nothing would be done.
Davis said he's hoping to change that community mindset and help address the growing volume of less serious crimes.
So far this year, property damage is up 14 per cent over the same time period last year, shoplifting is up 42 per cent, and theft is up 20 per cent.
To start, four students have been selected to join the Community Crime Unit, including Border Services students Maddy Bishop and Liam Chicoine, and Police Foundations students Dallas Baker and Jesse Hull.
Community Crime Unit members will be required to swear an Oath of Secrecy to protect the confidentiality of community members and will undergo rigorous training.
Davis said the four students will report to SPS headquarters in a few weeks.
"I feel very grateful to be the first people to experience this program. I think it's a great opportunity for our whole program," said Chicoine.
"It's a new experience, I think everyone would be nervous but I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity," said Baker.
Also excited about the new program was Lambton College Senior Vice President Mary Vaughan. She said there are plans to expand the program should this pilot succeed.
