Pubdate: Fri, 10 Feb 2006
Source: St. Thomas Times-Journal (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 St. Thomas Times-Journal
Contact:  http://www.stthomastimesjournal.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/953
Author: Kyle Rea
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

TURNING UP THE HEAT ON DRUG LABS

New Facility At Police College Will Boost Officers' Training

AYLMER -- Combating home-based drug labs will soon be an easier task 
for up-and-coming police officers, as the Ontario Police College 
opens a replica drug lab at their school near Aylmer.

Announced on Thursday by Monte Kwinter, minister of Community Safety 
and Correction Services and courtesy of a $230,000 provincial 
donation, the lab will give officers-in-training some hands-on 
experience in how to detect home-based labs and how to safely deal with them.

"It is an important resource in our fight against ... drug production 
and the problems of violence, guns and gangs that come with them," 
said Kwinter.

More than a year in the making, the lab, which will begin accepting 
training classes next week, resembles a normal house. Except that it 
contains examples of home-based drug operations, such as a 
methamphetamine-making kit, an ecstasy lab and a replica marijuana 
grow operation inside.

"This provides a realistic environment for police so they can learn 
by doing," said Deborah Newman, deputy corrections minister. "It will 
be a challenging ... and vital resource for the law enforcement community."

All officers who attend OPC will be required to spend time training 
in the house, explained John O'Reilly, co-ordinator for drug courses 
at the college. Recruits will spend a day or so inside the house, 
learning how to recognize various drug labs and respond to different 
situations. Officers training in the house are expected to wear 
protective gear and are tested with booby traps, similar to 
situations they might encounter in real life.

"We treat these labs (like real ones) and you act like you're going 
into the worst scenario possible," he said, noting new recruits and 
drug enforcement trainees are taught differently.

While all officers will train, O'Reilly explained recruits are taught 
preliminary recognition skills.

"Recruits are what we would call police responders ... we teach them 
the recognition aspect. (They're trained) to recognize and get out, 
and call the drug squad," he said, noting that training comes in a 
one-or two-day program. Trainees for drug enforcement could spend two 
weeks training inside the lab.

"In enhanced drug training, (they'll know) recognition and they'll 
also do the investigative side -- dismantle (drug labs), warrants and 
seizures."

O'Reilly added that two more labs are to be added in the near future. 
A pill press for their ecstasy lab and a marijuana processing lab.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom