ESTEVAN — The two newest additions to the Estevan Police Service wanted to get into policing for a long time, and they thought Estevan was the right place to start their careers.
Const. Jesse Peterson and Const. Keaten Tarnes graduated from the Saskatchewan Police College on June 9 and each had their first day on the job later in the month. Both are assigned to the EPS's patrol units.
Peterson said he obtained a bachelor of arts in sociology, with a minor in psychology, from the University of Regina to help with his desired career path. He also worked at the Regina Correctional Centre from 2015-2020, and was employed at the Estevan Courthouse for a few years before going to the police college.
Peterson is originally from Swift Current. He wanted to be part of the EPS because he was familiar with the community through his work at the courthouse, and because his wife's family is from Estevan.
"She wanted to stay in the community, and I really enjoy the community. It's really nice, so I figured it would be a good fit to be a police officer here," he told SaskToday.
Peterson said he wanted to be a police officer so he could be a part of and help the community through keeping people safe.
His experience with the EPS thus far has been great, he said. The other constables have been "amazing", he said, everyone has been really welcoming, and he has learned a lot thus far.
Tarnes said it's been "pretty surreal" being out on patrols. He is originally from Estevan and lived in the city for most of his life. Tarnes graduated from the Estevan Comprehensive School in 2017, and spent three years in Alberta for school and work before returning home.
Tarnes said there are a lot of reasons to become a police officer.
"Probably right around when I was graduating high school, I just knew the selflessness of the job by putting yourself in harm's way for other people was something I would take pride in doing," said Tarnes.
The encouragement of some members of the EPS, such as Sgt. Braden Lonsberry and Insp. Tyler McMillen, helped him want to join, but Tarnes said he knew even before encounters with them that he wanted to be a police officer.
"Just being back where family is was a big plus for me," said Tarnes. "It's somewhere I'm familiar with, being born and raised here, so it made sense."
Peterson and Tarnes were among 40 officers at the police college during the winter and the spring. Thirty-seven of them graduated at the end of the 22 weeks of training.
"It was intense. A lot of running and a lot of exercise, but well worth it," Peterson said. "It was really rewarding. Graduation day was awesome to be back home with the family."
Peterson noted the cadets had to learn a lot of legal studies, defensive tactics, firearms training and drills.
Tarnes added the police college experience was a lot of fun amid all of the expectations, and he enjoyed every second.
"All of the instructors were very good, easy to get along with and very knowledgeable, and it was nice meeting all of the different police recruits there. There was 37 of us who graduated, so it was nice to meet new people and new friends that I'll have over the years."
