Senior citizen's police academy  

The Senior Citizens Police Academy was designed to give seniors an opportunity to learn hands-on about crime prevention and safety in their homes and communities. Cadets will learn in a workshop style environment rather than presentation based lectures.

Goals:

• To provide learning skills for safety in a fun environment.
• Encourage more learning
• Seniors take their new skills back to their community groups
• Learn from the seniors what their needs are and that of the  senior community

Senior Cadets Graduate from Seniors Police Academy

Bridgewater, NS – April 14, 2010 – Ten proud cadets graduated today from the latest Seniors Police Academy, wrapping up six weeks of workshops covering a dozen topics related to seniors safety and wellness.  Cadets had to attend five out of the six workshops in order to receive their certificates.

Mayor Don Downe, Deputy Mayor David Walker, and Chief Brent Crowhurst were on hand to congratulate the seniors and present their graduation certificates.  Community Development Officer, Jocelyn Yerxa, from the Department of Seniors, attended to represent the Ministry and bring congratulations from the Honourable Denise Peterson-Rafuse. 

Cadet Bob Carter spoke on behalf of the graduating class.

“When I registered for this program, I only thought I’d come to one class just to see what it was like. Well, I stayed for the whole six weeks and I’m so glad I did.  It was so worthwhile,” Carter said.  “This was time very well spent.”

The cadets had a full agenda, participating in workshops on fire safety, investigating crime, disaster preparedness, Emergency Health Services, safe banking and investing, fraud prevention, self-defence, restorative justice, medication safety, crime prevention, Alzheimer’s disease, and elder abuse. 

While every class was a success, some were a little more memorable than others.  Victor Swinamer’s session on self-defence got cadets up out of their chairs to learn how to physically defend themselves against an aggressor and get out of a dangerous situation.  There were lots of laughs and a few embarrassing moments when techniques weren’t employed exactly as they were intended.

Another popular session was one on Alzheimer’s disease which focused on the search and rescue of wandering dementia patients.  Jerry Burke from Ground Search and Rescue joined presenter Linda Bird from the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, sharing his firsthand accounts of searching for lost Alzheimer patients.  The cadets were amazed to hear how challenging it is to look for someone who doesn’t know they’re lost, or won’t call out for help even if they hear searchers calling their names.  It was a topic that hit very close to home for several of the participants and generated a lot of discussion.

The graduates were a grateful group, presenting organizer Beth George, Seniors Safety Coordinator, with a card, flowers and an $80 donation for the Seniors Safety Program.  The funds will go towards another Seniors Police Academy to be held this coming Fall 2010.  Organizers would like to acknowledge the generous support of local businesses including Atlantic Superstore, Sobey’s, Eastern Office Supply, Dollarama, and Weagle’s Bakery for making this session such a huge success.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here, the seniors demonstrate their new found self-defense skills.

Thanks to Victor Swinimer and Leo Blinn.

 

Academy Agenda

Spring Session - March 3 – April 14, 2010
Bridgewater Fire Hall, 81 Dominion Street, Bridgewater

WEEK 1 Crime Prevention / Investigating Crime
WEEK 2 Disaster Preparedness/Falls Prevention & EHS
WEEK 3 Safe Banking & Investing / ABCs of Fraud Prevention
WEEK 4 Self defense / Restorative Justice
WEEK 5 Medication Safety / Addictions
WEEK 6 Alzheimer’s / Elder Abuse
WEEK 7 GRADUATION!!
 

For more information about the Senior's Police Academy, please call Beth George  543-3567.

Senior Cadets

Senior Cadets must be age 55+

A maximum of 25 senior cadets will be enrolled.

Senior Cadets must attend at least 5 weekly sessions in order to graduate.

There is no charge for anyone to attend the Senior Citizen Police Academy. All handouts will be supplied.

 Each week, a guest presenter will attend to speak on the topic of the week.