Rose Ditaranto
News Reporter

The Beyond the Code lecture at Guelph Humber last week taught students that policing goes far beyond just arresting people.
The hour- long lecture began with a member of the Toronto Police employment unit, Joanne Gooding, explaining to students the necessary skills and values they would need to become an officer on Toronto’s force.
 “ We want people who can relate to our community and look to add diversity in our work force,” said Gooding. “We would like to give you a chance to make a difference in the communities we serve.”
Gooding said to be considered for a job as a police officer a person must be honest, fair, respectful, and able to work on a team.
Toronto Const. Randall Lee told students how hard it was for him to become an officer and how even his mother doubted his success. She thought a career in policing was unrewarding.
In an interview with Et Cetera after his speech, Lee said he thought his message got through to students.
“I saw their reaction when I told them how I first became a police officer, through their reaction I felt that they could relate to me. It felt really good to see that reaction from the students.
“I speak biased, but I also speak from the heart when I say that we do a great job and that it is definitely something the [students] can achieve, that anyone can achieve,” said Lee.
Hansaka Kumarasinghe a third-year justice studies student at Guelph Humber felt he did not get what he was looking for out of the lecture.
“It was good for a basic information session, but I was hoping for more in-depth information,” said Kumarasinghe.
 “It was too general on the actual job and civilian opportunities. When I asked further questions post lecture, they just told me to call this place and that place and then I would get my answer,” he said.
The lecture ended off with tips on resume writing and ways students can increase their chances of achieving employment in police foundations.
“They are our future, I mean after college and university they’re the ones that are going to be coming out and coming into the work force,” said Lee.