Const. Jermaine Watt teaches some youths the basics of flying an aircraft.
Things are flying at Toronto Police’s 22 Division.
A new innovative aviation program is headed by two police officers of
22 Division to teach kids about aviation and the passion for flying.
The unique program is the first of its kind by Toronto Police Service and is
gathering a lot of interest.
Consts. Jermaine Watt and Dave Evans, of the Division’s Community Officer Team, have begun a Take Flight Not Fight program that teaches youths between 10 to 16-years-old the basics on aerospace, aviation an
how to fly an aircraft.
‘It is the first of its kind within the Toronto Police Service,” Watt said. “It provides the youth participants with an opportunity to learn how to fly an airplane.”
One youth gets up close with real-time lessons on how to fly.
The officers, with the sponsorship of ProAction Cops & Kids, developed the
program.
Watt is a licensed pilot and has flown planes for about 16 years while working as a cop. Evans was a former mechanical engineer.
“We have combined our skills and passion to teach these youths using Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) all about aviation,” he said.
The program runs from March to the end of August and the kids seem to love it. The teens are all interested in aviation and are recruited from local schools, through their teachers or principals.
“Some of the kids didn’t want to go home after a class because they were so interested,” Watt said. “Two of them want to be pilots and another a
mechanical engineer.”
Some youngsters who love aviation hope to get jobs in the industry some day.
The program has caught on and there is now interest from other police
forces who want to start a similar program. They have also formed
partnerships with Brampton Flying Club, Pearson International Airport
and other forces.
He said there are many jobs available in the aviation industry ranging
from pilots, flight attendants, navigation planners, aerospace
engineers and mechanics.
The sponsor ProAction Cops & Kids work to establish a positive
relationship between cops and kids to strengthen our community today and for the future.
This youth is learning all about his nice airplane and has a passion for flying.
The group helps to create an environment of mutual understanding and respect. Connections between police and kids are made with a view to
increasing community safety while supporting young people to reach their
full potential.
ProAction has been able to engage over 420,000 youth, 19,800 officers
and deliver 2,200 programs, that are funded solely due to the generosity of
individuals, corporations and family foundations.
If you are a student interested in the aviation field you can
get in touch with Watt by e-mail at jermaine.watt@torontopolice.on.ca
Students have to be aged from 10 to 16 and live in the 22
Division area.