Training Transformed: Ottawa Police Service’s Journey to Streamlined Learning with CPKN
Discover how Ottawa Police Service improved compliance and saved staff time through its partnership with CPKN.
By Natalie Fournier
When the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) set out to streamline mandatory training, they turned to the Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN) to simplify access, improve tracking, and reduce administrative strain.
We asked Kat Hiratsuka, Learning Design Specialist, OPS, to share how the service transformed its training process—saving time and creating a better experience for both staff and new members.
Can you tell us how the collaboration between OPS and CPKN began around the Occupational Health and Safety Awareness (OHSA) Training?
To improve the learning experience for new members, OPS reviewed its mandatory course list, which includes requirements from the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA), provincial ministries, the City of Ottawa, and internal directives. As part of this refresh, OPS moved key courses, including OHSA training, onto CPKN to simplify access, reduce support issues, and improve compliance tracking.
What challenges led OPS to move mandatory training from Ottawa’s internal portal, OLearn, to CPKN, and how did that decision improve your team’s workflow?
Before integration, tracking was inconsistent and often manual. Users had to submit certificates or screenshots to the Professional Development Centre (PDC), which added to coordinators’ workload. Users struggled with multiple platforms, records were inaccurate, and staff had to follow up individually. Coordinators spent significant time on manual tasks like enrolling users, collecting documents, and tracking completions, making reporting for audits difficult.
What have been the biggest improvements since moving the course into your customized CPKN Learning Management System?
Happy members and staff! They can now access their learning through CPKN, track compliance and manage reports with ease. This allows them to focus on higher-level initiatives, as CPKN provides accurate and complete course progress and completion information.
Do you see potential for other Ontario services—or even services in other provinces—to benefit from this kind of setup?
Absolutely. If you can improve the learner experience while enhancing tracking and compliance, it is worth the effort.
What has the feedback been from new members or staff about the updated training process?
One of our Staff Sergeant’s, James Ritchie, said that centralizing all mandatory learning requirements on CPKN has significantly streamlined access and tracking for PDC. He feels that it has made compliance easier and training more efficient across the board.
How would you describe the value of OPS’s partnership with CPKN to other organizations considering similar collaborations?
The partnership is invaluable. We can provide our members with more extensive learning experiences through one portal, and the value regarding our compliance and audit needs is immeasurable.
What advice would you give to other services interested in doing something similar?
Do it! Review the different platforms you might be sending your learners to and reach out to see if you can obtain your own versions of courses to upload to CPKN.
If you're interested in learning more about how your organization can streamline mandatory training through CPKN, reach out to the CPKN team to start the conversation at communications@cpkn.ca.