JKN: A Proactive Approach to Training Challenges

JKN's origins are rooted in the need to address training challenges facing the Canadian policing community. With the approach of the 21st century, policing agencies across Canada were becoming increasingly aware of several trends that would have significant impacts on the sector as a whole, and, in turn, the security of Canadians. In addition to the growing complexities within the criminal element and the increased demands on enforcement agencies, forecasts predicted:

  • Significant turnover among law enforcement personnel over the next 5 to 10 years, where nearly 1 in 4 officers would be eligible to retire
  • Increased pressure on training budgets and the need for additional training at all levels (recruit to management), leading to increased costs
  • A proliferation of new technologies that would require additional training
  • An increased need for integration and collaboration across all law enforcement agencies

 

"Internet learning is the way of the future for affordable, effective police training."

Chief Rod Freeman
Orangeville Police Service

In 2002, in direct response to these issues, Holland College spearheaded the creation of the Justice Knowledge Network, an R&D initiative to research and develop e-based training options to alleviate training-related challenges facing the policing sector. At that time, JKN represented a consortium of public and private partners including Holland College, Aliant, Provinent, the Université de Moncton, and the Visualization Design Institute at Sheridan College. Together and in consultation with the Canadian policing community, these organizations shared experience and resources to develop and deliver e-learning products for Canadian police and law enforcement personnel.

In 2004, JKN partnered with the Canadian policing community and National Research Council to create the Canadian Police Knowledge Network, a not-for-profit organization through which JKN police training products are delivered. Since that time, CPKN has become Canada's leading provider of e-learning for police.

Throughout the R&D phase and the subsequent success of CPKN, JKN has acquired extensive experience in helping organizations implement e-learning solutions to achieve their training objectives in the most cost- and time-efficient manner. Today, JKN is expanding beyond the policing sector to apply its collaborative learning models and highly refined development protocols to other learning verticals, including health and emergency care.