Backgrounder
The CBSA College, with its main campus in Rigaud, Quebec, is the Agency's primary training centre.
The College delivers the Agency's flagship training programs such as the CBSA's Officer Induction Training Program (OITP), the Use of Force/Arming Program and the world renowned Detector Dog Training Program (DDTP).
The College's network includes seven satellite campuses, the national firearm and ammunition warehouse and the Marine Centre of Expertise in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The College also serves as a meeting and conference space for international and national visitors.
The College provides training for hundreds of CBSA recruits every year, as well as for employees from the RCMP, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and other government departments. The DDTP, housed at the College, trains detector dog teams for CBSA and Correctional Services Canada, as well as international law enforcement partners.
The Officer Induction Training Program
Consistent with the CBSA mission and commitments, the Officer Induction Training Program is designed to train and develop high-calibre officers to serve in a modern, armed law enforcement agency.
The OITP is divided into four developmental blocks, starting with the first block-recruitment. The second block, OITP online, consists of 40-50 hours of online distance learning over a four-week period, providing recruits with a solid understanding of the CBSA and the role of the frontline officer.
The third block of training is delivered at the CBSA College. During this 18-week period, recruits develop skills and knowledge specifically related to their duties as a border services officers trainee.
The recruits learn how to understand and apply the policies, procedures and legislation the CBSA administers (over 90 Acts of Parliament), as well as perform primary and secondary inspections. They also learn control and defensive tactics and firearms skills, as well as how to identify the grounds for action and conduct a personal search, seizure, detention or arrest.
The final block is the Officer Induction Development Program (OIDP), where officer trainees work in various regions applying the skills and curriculum taught in the OITP's operational environment.
Once assigned a port of entry, they continue to develop expertise and skills specifically required for duties at the POE.
Recruits are both formally and informally assessed throughout each of the phases of the OITP.
The Officer Induction Training Program (OITP) Ceremony
The Officer Induction Training Program (OITP) Ceremony is held approximately six times a year at the Main Campus in Rigaud, Quebec.
The ceremony, which is attended by the recruits, their families and CBSA senior officials, formally celebrates the completion of the 22-week OITP by recruits and their new status as Officer Trainees. During the ceremony, inductees are presented with the CBSA officer badge, a symbol of public trust and authority.
Detector Dog Training Program (DDTP)
The CBSA currently has 64 detector dog teams, working at strategic locations across the country. These teams work on the frontline with CBSA officers and play a critical role in keeping prohibited drugs and firearms, currency, foods, plants, animals, and related products from entering Canada.
Budget 2019 allowed the CBSA to procure an additional 24 food, plant and animal detector dog teams over the next five years and to train teams to increase the Agency's current capacity.
Detector dogs are trained at the CBSA College under the Agency's DDTP. In operation since 1978, the training program is known worldwide for its excellence.
Over the years, the DDTP has expanded to enable the detector dogs to detect items other than drugs and firearms such as currency as well as plants, food and animal products.
The process of training a border services officer to become handler, as well as pairing them with a suitable dog, also takes place during this ten-week training period. After they graduate, the teams will continue to improve their skills by completing progressive training exercises on a regular basis throughout their careers.
The DDTP has supported international law enforcement agencies such as Hong Kong Customs, Peru Customs, New York State and Penitentiary Agencies, Quebec Wildlife Service and various Canadian police agencies.
In addition, the CBSA now partners with Correctional Service Canada (CSC) to conduct all of CSC's detector dog training, evaluations, certifications and follow-ups.
