Constable Perry Rasmussen changed careers from automotive technician to police officer when he enrolled in the Medicine Hat Police Service cadet program.
had to put in extra hours in the gym on our own time, and when we were here, we had physical training. We did a lot of kilometres and strength training through the week... I’m very thankful that they did that. I was in good shape when I went in, and I came out in great shape.”
Due to his previous background, one area came easy to Rasmussen.
“For me, the automotive side was the easiest transition in training,” said Rasmussen. “From there, it’s just trying to work and be part of a team.”
O’Donnell and Rasmussen both felt pride when they graduated from the program and received their badges in October.
“It was surreal for me,” said Rasmussen. “It was so much hard work. I wanted to do this for many years, so to finally see that come to fruition, I was beside myself.
“The stresses of going through the training, it was all
worth it in the end.”
“When that phone call came through, with the chief and the inspectors on speakerphone, I believe at the time my wife was driving and I was in the passenger seat,” said O’Donnell. “I had the speakerphone on so she could hear it too and when they offered me the job, goosebumps came flushing over. My little one was in the back and she was screaming “Yay,” because she understood at the time what it meant. It was a heck of a feeling.”
Once they received their badges, Rasmussen and O’Donnell worked with field training officers, riding along in their vehicles. Today, they are in their own cars, with supervisor officers shadowing them in their own vehicles. McGrogan says all eight recruits have been doing well since joining the service.
Both officers noted they’ve heard from other officers it will likely take them five years to become fully comfortable as officers with all of the calls they get. Right now, they are working
Constable Martyn O'Donnell is one of eight local officers recruited by the Medicine Hat Police Service in 2015.
hard to protect and serve Medicine Hat.
“I’ve only been in Medicine Hat for a few years, but it’s a place I want to make home and I’m proud to make home and it’s a place I’m looking forward to raising a family,” said Rasmussen.
“If they do it again, (recruiting ) locally is great,” said O’Donnell. “You know the area, where you need to go and hiring from within is a benefit.”
McGrogan says recruiting will continue again when there is need for more officers. ■
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