b'A M E S S A G E F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N TBy Chief Paul Pedersen,T osaythatispolicingresponsive to rapidly changing recruit inOntariotodayandselectionrequirements,able undergoingaperiodofto address any barriers to potential significantchangewouldrecruits and more accessible since it beanunderstatement.offers online convenience to poten-At the same time, name me a timetial recruits while being sensitive to President, Ontario Associationwhenwehaventbeenundergoingthe needs of candidates in different of Chiefs of Police change. As police leaders, membersparts of Ontario.of the Ontario Association of ChiefsThischangeintheprocesshas ofPolice(OACP)haveafrontrowsignificantimplicationsforhowwe seattothesechanges.Infact,select the next generation of police were often the instigators of theseofficers(andSpecialConstables)in changes.Managingchangeandthis province. The CSS was originally leading change are key componentsdesigned by the OACP in partnership of leadership and our OACP memberswiththeMinistryoftheSolicitor are doing amazing work in this regardGeneraltoensureconsistencyin every day. the way all police services selected An important example of this arecandidates.It was also designed to the changes the OACP has initiatedprovideconsistentanddefendable whenitcomestothewaypolicestandardsthatweusetoevaluate pre-screen candidates for positions ofindividualswhowanttopursue Police Constable in Ontario. The newapolicingcareer.Thesetenets OACPConstableSelectionSystemremain true.(CSS) came into effect on January 1,TheOACPhasalwaysbelieved 2020. It has been undertaken by ourthat our services benefit from having associationattheurgingofpoliceaselectionprocessthattakesthe leaders and our recruitment person- pressureboth time and resources nel across the province. The reality isoffourpoliceserviceswhilealso that over the past several years, thehelping candidates with a clear and OACP Board of Directors and our CSStransparent process.Committee heard from police leaders and recruitment personnel across theChange Not EasyprovinceaboutneededchangestoIbelieveitwasDr.LindaDuxbury the CSS. We are proud to say that theof Carleton University who said that OACPhasrespondedtothesecallstherearetwothingsweallhate: for change. thewaythingsare,andchange.I The new OACP CSS is a responsivewant to be very clear that as police systemdesignedtoaddressourleaders, we must do everything we police service needs and the needs ofcan to help anyone who wants to join the communities we serve. It is oneourpolicingprofessionpursuetheir that is effective in attracting qualitydreams. If recruitment and screening candidatestoourprofession,moresystems pose barriers to certain can-affordable for potential recruits, moredidates that we are keen to attract 4 H.Q. Winter 2019/20'