By Cpl. Brenda Gullen, Wing Photo Journalist
June 17, 2009
 
17 WING WINNIPEG, Man. –“We Commissionaires feel that we are playing our own very small part by helping to provide security to those that are left behind – including those who work on the base.” says Len Baspaly, Manager of Training and Development for the Corps of Commissionaires in Winnipeg.
 
Men and women train at the Commissionaire Security Guard Training Academy (CSGTA). There, they learn the Manitoba Security Guard Training Program which complies with the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) and The Manitoba Private Investigator and Security Guard Act (MPISGA). In addition, the instructors are qualified to teach Emergency First Aid training and level A CPR.
 
Joining the Corps is a natural fit for some former military members.
 
Retired military firefighter Arthur Matthews became a Commissionaire a year ago and quickly moved up the ranks to become one of the instructors at the Academy.
 
“Both organizations have their strong points and concepts,” says Commissionaire Matthews, “however, personnel must be able to adapt to the new environment while maintaining those strong positive values they bring to the Corps.”

To be good at the job, members must demonstrate skill at handling difficult people; take courses in law, First Aid and CPR. To be an instructor, they need to pursue further training in Regina.
 
“We consider ourselves to be a premier security guard organization,” says Len Baspaly, “Due to our investment in training and the professionalism of our training staff.”
 
The Corps of Commissionaires was approached by the Federal and Provincial governments to provide training to First Nation Communities to improve security at the nurses’ stations up North. In addition, private organizations also have their personnel trained by the Commissionaire instructors.
 
Corps of Commissionaires follows the business standards required by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and are audited to ensure standards are met.
 
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