JVN Hawkes NCOPP Commissioner J.V.N. (Vince) Hawkes addressed a crowd of Timmins and area high school and college students today, during a visit to Northern College Timmins Campus.

The commissioner spoke to the students as part of a day-long event promoting the college’s emergency services programs.

Students from O’Gorman High School, Roland Michener Secondary School, Timiskaming District Secondary School and Timmins High & Vocational School attended the event, which included showcases of the college’s Paramedic, Police Foundations and Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training programs.

“We’re honoured to have Commissioner Hawkes with us today to help promote the range of rewarding careers available in emergency services,” says Fred Gibbons, President of Northern College. “Firefighters, paramedics and police officers are essential to the long-term health of our communities, and we want local students to be aware of the options available right here in the north to pursue these careers.”

Commissioner Hawkes concluded the day’s events with a presentation discussing the range of exciting careers available in policing, as well as what police departments are looking for in new officers. Constable Jason Cerilli, a new recruit with the South Porcupine Detachment of the OPP, joined Commissioner Hawkes for a question and answer period following the presentation.

“The profession of policing is continuously evolving and those of us who work as police officers must evolve as well. Post-secondary education and a commitment to continuous learning are crucial for anyone who wants to succeed as a police officer now and in the future,” says Hawkes.

Commissioner Hawkes first joined the OPP in 1984, and has extensive cross command operational policing experience. Prior to serving as Commissioner, Hawks served as Deputy Commissioner of Investigations and Organized Crime, as well as Field Operations. In May of 2010, Hawkes was appointed as an Officer to the Order of Merit of the Police Forces.