News Article
Garden Hill Undergoes Manitoba Justice Security Guard Training
Miranda Healey, Nickelbelt
September 4, 2009
A Manitoba Justice security guard training program facilitated by Commissionaires Manitoba has been implemented on Garden Hill First Nation, after months of talks with the federal and provincial governments, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) and band members from the community.
The federal government had approached Commissionaires Manitoba, who are part of a national security solutions not-for-profit organization, to provide onsite training to residents of Garden Hill to guard the nursing station and particularly the dialysis centre.
Commissionaires Manitoba has been around for 70 years, and operates under a board of governors made up of 10 volunteer members with different military, business and other professional backgrounds. The organization maintains an annual surplus of 90 per cent of funds generated provided to members in pay, benefits and training. All together over 420 members at more than 40 work sites are employed throughout Manitoba, along with various contract and escort services. The organization has worked closely with various First Nations communities providing security guard training, mentoring and security consultation.
Eighteen Garden Hill residents underwent a five-day Manitoba Justice security guard training program, a provincially administered exam and First Aid and CPR training. They make up the first group of security guards to be licensed, trained and uniformed in Northern Manitoba.
Len Baspaly, training and development manager for Commissionaires Manitoba, says the program is extremely positive.
“The aim of the program is to establish a well managed, professional security organization managed and conducted by individuals from the community,” he explains. “In order to have a successful program of this nature, the standard classroom training is not sufficient. Mentoring and on the job training are needed.”
Along with the training the 18 residents got, Commissionaires worked with the security team and will provide them with ongoing security assessments, mentorship, on the job training packages, instructor training and assistance in selecting supervisors. The Commissionaires are dedicated to acting as mentors who will monitor and act as consultants to ensure the project is successful and self-sustainable.
Garden Hill security supervisor David Harper says he has seen a positive change in the community now that the security system is in place.
“Young people are starting to listen to us now. Before, there was no security during the day at the nursing stations. Today, everything has changed. People recognize us now. They know who we are, they respect us, and the uniform allows us to have a presence twenty-four-seven.”
Following the success in Garden Hill, Commissionaires Manitoba has been approached again to start the project in other Northern communities.
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