Following the successful completion of its historic first recruit class, the Grande Prairie Police Service is proud to welcome its second recruit class, marking another milestone in the city’s policing transition.
The selection for this class was highly competitive, with nearly 300 applications received, encouraging GPPS to increase the class size by two members. The rigorous hiring process includes written and physical assessments, multiple interviews to evaluate character and organizational fit, polygraph testing, psychological evaluations, and comprehensive background checks.
The class of 14 brings a wealth of diverse personal and professional experiences to the new service. Eight recruits are from the Grande Prairie region, while the remaining six come from various areas across northern and southern Alberta, with one recruit joining from Ontario. Their backgrounds reflect a rich mix of fields, including a variety of trades, legal support (paralegals), corrections, peace officers, and military police, among others. The GPPS is also proud to have welcomed three additional female recruits, further enhancing the diversity and representation within their team.
“These recruits bring invaluable depth and diversity to the strength of our service,” says GPPS Chief of Police Dwayne Lakusta. “I am truly impressed by their commitment to serving our community, and I am excited to see how their unique backgrounds and experiences will contribute to their growth and development throughout their training.”
Over the next six months, the recruits will undergo Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Police Cadet Training program, along with specialized instruction in areas such as firearms, control tactics, physical fitness, community policing, crisis communication, Indigenous learning, interviewing techniques, and mental health first aid.
Training will take place at GPPS’ recruitment and training centre at Northwestern Polytechnic, as well as at regional facilities like the Eastlink Centre, Wapiti Shooters Club, and NAPA Auto Parts Raceway in Beaverlodge. Recruits receive a full wage during training.
Recruitment is now open for GPPS’ third recruit class, set to begin in fall 2025. For more details, visit joingpps.com.
