The Grande Prairie Police Service's first recruits bring a wide range of diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Of the 12 recruits, eight are from the Peace Country, two from other parts of Alberta, and two are from British Columbia.

According to the GPPS, officers were selected through a highly competitive process that attracted nearly 200 applicants.

The new officers will now undergo field training with experienced officers to further develop the skills and knowledge they acquired during their classroom training.

Six will be immediately deployed to the Grande Prairie RCMP Detachment, where they will receive mentorship from seasoned GPPS officers.

This phase of training is mandatory and is expected to last up to four months. The remaining six officers will be assigned to other duties until additional field training officers become available.