Manitoba Public Safety Institute recognizes public safety graduates across multiple programs

Assiniboine College is wrapping up a successful year for its Public Safety Institute with the annual Final Inspection Ceremony for the Public Safety program today. The event acknowledged graduates who have completed their training and are pursuing careers in policing, justice, corrections, and other public safety roles.

Across three final inspection ceremonies held this academic year, the Public Safety program celebrated a total of 14 graduates, with 11 graduates moving on to the Brandon Police Service, one to the Sheriff’s office, and one as a Community Safety Officer for Victoria Beach Police.

The Public Safety Institute is also the training provider for Manitoba First Nations Police Service, now in their seventh recruit class with 19 graduates this academic year and a further 22 expected to graduate in July. This year also saw 130 students graduate as Community Safety Officers, First Nations Safety Officers, Animal Protection Officers and Field Training Officers. Assiniboine College has delivered specialized training for partners such as the City of Brandon and the Winnipeg Community Safety Team, alongside First Nations Safety Officer and police training for the Manitoba First Nations Police Service and other policing agencies across Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan.

The May 1 ceremony marked the 22nd Final Inspection for Assiniboine College’s Public Safety program, underscoring the college’s long‑standing leadership in delivering high‑quality public safety training for communities across Manitoba, including right here in Brandon.

“Assiniboine College continues to set the standard for public safety training in Manitoba,” said Mark Frison, president of Assiniboine College. “Over the past year, our graduates have completed a demanding, hands‑on program that emphasizes real‑world experience, accountability, and service. Through the Manitoba Public Safety Institute, students are graduating fully prepared to support and protect communities across the province.”

Among the graduates Friday was Osahon Ebosa, who has been hired by the Sheriff’s Service based in Brandon. Ebosa is originally from Nigeria and is graduating from a program that he credits in helping shape the direction of his career.

“I’ve always been a community‑oriented person. Giving back to my community has always been in my mind, and public safety was the path that came naturally to me,“ he said. ““Public safety is about taking care of people in your community, whether you’re a police officer, sheriff, or working in corrections. This program has been great. It has taught me that public safety professionals play such a strong role in ensuring that our community is safe and in a good place.”

Friday’s ceremony also signaled a change for Instructor Alice Potter, who returns to her regular duties with Brandon Police Service. Potter has served as the instructor of the Public Safety program for the past five years and has taught drill for 18 years at the college.

"Over the past five years, Sgt. Potter has been a guiding force behind the success of our Public Safety Program, shaping and inspiring dozens of graduates as they prepared to step into the demanding world of policing and public safety.” said Jack Ewatski, Chair of the Manitoba Public Safety Institute at Assiniboine College. “Her unwavering dedication, passion, and genuine care for every student she mentored has left a lasting impact that reaches far beyond the classroom. She will be deeply missed, both professionally and personally."

For Potter, she shared that it has been both an honour and a privilege to support students as they prepared for careers in policing and public safety. “It has been among the most rewarding aspects of my work with the Brandon Police Service and at Assiniboine. I am grateful for my continued connections with many former students and truly enjoy watching their careers as they serve their communities.”

Students interested in pursuing education towards a career in public safety are encouraged to visit https://assiniboine.net/programs/public-safety for more information on upcoming intakes.