Ontario Expands Constable Training Program with New Cornwall Site
121 additional recruits to bolster police forces and enhance community safety across the province
CORNWALL — The Ontario government is expanding its Basic Constable Training (BCT) program to strengthen police recruitment and enhance public safety, with training now taking place at two locations for the first time.
In addition to the Ontario Police College in Aylmer, a temporary site has been established at the DEV Hotel and Conference Centre in Cornwall, allowing for an additional 121 recruits. This expansion raises the total intake to as many as 641 recruits this fall.
“Ontario’s Basic Constable Training program is the critical first step to becoming a police officer in this province,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “When Ontarians are in need, it is our police officers who answer the call to protect us and keep our communities safe. By expanding training this fall in Cornwall, our government is supporting police services and their recruitment efforts, ensuring they have the additional constables needed to protect our communities.”
Supporting Local Communities
Training in Cornwall will run from October 6 to December 17, concluding with the March Past and Review Ceremony. For Nolan Quinn, MPP for Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry, the new training site represents a significant investment in local safety.
“The safety and well-being of Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry relies on a strong police force to protect our community,” Quinn said. “By expanding basic constable training, our government is adding more officers to police forces across the province to help keep our streets and loved ones safe today, and into the future.”
We promised to put more boots on the ground, and I’m proud to announce today that we’re doing just that!
For the first time ever, the Ontario Police College is running two simultaneous intakes — one at the College in Aylmer and another at the Development Centre in Cornwall.… pic.twitter.com/L6dxVgFbCj
— Michael Kerzner (@TeamKerzner) September 26, 2025
Modern Training to Meet Today’s Challenges
The BCT program prepares recruits for the complexities of modern policing. Courses cover federal, provincial, and traffic law, as well as human rights, diversity, leadership, ethics, de-escalation, firearms, officer safety, and physical fitness. Specialized modules also address mental health for both first responders and individuals in crisis.
The Ontario government eliminated tuition fees for the program in 2023, ensuring that cost is no barrier for future police officers. This policy has been credited with broadening access to policing careers while helping services recruit more candidates in a tight labour market.
Strengthening Ontario’s Police Services
With demand for police services continuing to grow, the expansion of training is intended to help forces across Ontario fill staffing gaps more quickly. The Cornwall site will complement the long-standing Ontario Police College in Aylmer, which has trained thousands of officers since its opening in 1962.
By expanding training capacity, the province aims to build a stronger, more responsive police service that can adapt to emerging challenges while keeping Ontarians safe.
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