Behind the badge and vest, you never know what interests or journey led someone to the policing profession.
Recently completing our annual Use of Force Training at Cobourg Police Service, we’d like to introduce Constable Jason (Jay) Salisbury, Training and Education Coordinator for the Cobourg Police Service.
Growing up in a rural area north of Belleville, for Jay, the great outdoors was always calling. A budding love for fishing, wildlife, and exploring the area where he lived would build the foundation for his career and adult hobbies.
After college, Jay found work with the Ministry of Natural Resources where he cared for the environment, cared for wildlife, and educated people importance of preserving habitats and respect for nature. While working for the Ministry, a typical workday may involve a 4-wheeler and venturing into the woods to enforce the different provincial acts, protecting animals and other species. Or you may have found Jay patrolling by helicopter, joining wildlife surveys and biologists as they studied the vast areas of land.
“I loved it. My favourite part was being responsible for so many areas of special concern, getting to know the land and learning about the animals, plants, habitats, and biodiversity within it.” – Jay Salisbury
With an aunt who was an officer with the Belleville Police Service (the first female officer at BPS), an uncle who was an OPP officer and a second uncle who was a Toronto transit special constable, law enforcement had always spoken to Jay’s interests. Still, it wasn’t until Jay was looking for a new adventure, upon a suggestion by a past co-worker he applied to the Cobourg Police Service.
He officially joined the Cobourg Police Service as a Police Constable in 2014.
Jay actively looked for opportunities to learn and be involved. First, taking the instructor’s course for the carbine training program, assisting with training for a few years before expanding his involvement to include delivering other training programs, including the use of force, Conducted Energy Weapons, and immediate rapid deployment programs – all certifications renewed annually for all police officers across Ontario.
Jay played a key role in developing an in-house use of force training and firearms training program in partnership with the Port Hope Police Service. Delivery of these programs involves working with all three levels of Cobourg’s Tiered Policing Model – sworn officers, special constables, and auxiliaries. For this reason, Jay’s patient, professional demeanour and passion for helping others build confidence was a perfect fit.
“I enjoy teaching and sharing knowledge about things I am passionate about and giving others the tools to be successful in their jobs. It’s so rewarding to hear about their successes in building their skill set and building confidence with the tools they need and may use day to day.” Jay
Lucky to have him as a part of the team here in Cobourg, Constable Salisbury continues to embed best practices and evolve the use of force training program.
right – Jay’s bee apiary
Beyond the police station walls, Jay maintains a curiosity and connection to the outdoors through his hobbies. Waterfowl hunting with his dog Jasper, processing maple syrup from the trees on his property, and just last year, taking on beekeeping, becoming a self-described ‘bee nerd’ expanding his apiary with his wife and making honey.