FROM: Caledonia	RELEASE: Jan 4, 2007

"Making Ontario Communities Safer" is New Year's Resolution of New OPP Recruits

ORILLIA, ON, Jan. 4 /CNW/ - The Ontario Provincial Police is holding a special graduation ceremony tomorrow for 65 new OPP recruits who are ready to rise to the challenges of their new policing careers.

The new recruits of class No.395 are determined to start the new year by making a positive impact on communities throughout the province. These latest OPP recruits come from diverse backgrounds - an attribute that is consistent with the OPP's philosophy that the diverse population of our province is best served by a similar diversity of police officers.

Backgrounds and former occupations of the graduates include cadets, OPP auxiliary officers, security guards, a commercial helicopter pilot, a youth worker, an athletic therapist, a single mom and a teacher, to name just a few. The graduates will be stationed throughout Ontario, where they will apply their skills and unique experiences to their new policing careers. As new OPP officers, they will have virtually boundless opportunities to specialize and grow with one of North America's largest deployed policing agencies.

OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino will address the class and take part in the swearing in ceremony. Joining the Commissioner as special guests will be Orillia Mayor Ron Stevens, Dave Dubois, Dean of Community Studies at Georgian College, Dr. Sally-Anne Burnett, Director of Operations, Lakehead University and Retired Commissioner Archie Ferguson. The media is invited to take part in tomorrow's ceremony to meet the fine young women and men who make up this latest class of OPP recruits. Photo opportunities and interviews will be available.

Date: Friday, January 5, 2007

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Location: ODAS Park, 4500 Fairgrounds Road North of Highway 12, West of Orillia