“I was inspired to ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’”

The graduates of Recruit Training Class (RTC) 155 have taken different journeys to become police officers, but all share the same goal to serve the community.  

“I love the diversity of our class, it’s a really good group of people with lots of depth,” said Constable Ronald Nyikabe, who was born in the Congo and grew up in Edmonton. 

He was a carpenter with his own company, volunteered with marginalized youth, but knew in his heart he wanted to serve the community further.

Constable Nyikabe much like the other members of RTC 155 share similar stories.  They came from a wide variety of backgrounds, careers, and countries to follow their dreams of becoming police officers. 

While the newest police graduates reflect the growing diversity in the city, they bring valuable skills, experiences, and perspectives that will help EPS be more responsive to community needs and rapidly changing circumstances in the future.  

With their academic training completed, RTC 155 celebrated graduation at City Hall on February 10, 2023.  Acting Chief Devin Laforce presented diplomas to 27 EPS constables and two EPS Canine Teams, as well as to two constables from Lacombe and one from Lakeshore who trained with the class. 

The new EPS constables now have the opportunity to serve the community in ways they never could before, and for Constable Nyikabe, it is an opportunity to be a positive role model for youth.

“Growing up, I didn’t see anybody who reflected me as a police officer, and was fearful encountering police,” said Constable Nyikabe. 

“I don’t want kids to be afraid of somebody who’s wearing a badge.  I figured instead of just talking about it … why not be somebody they can look up to, somebody they can trust, somebody that they can say … ‘If he can do it, I can too.’”