Kalen Cebuliak loves hands-on law enforcement, working with her K9 partner Ginny to keep BC Ferries safe, using skills learned at JIBC.
When Kalen Cebuliak talks about her work, two things are immediately clear: she loves what she does, and she’s exactly where she’s meant to be.
After completing the Law Enforcement Studies Diploma (LESD) at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) and starting the Bachelor of Law Enforcement Studies (BLES) program, Kalen made the decision to hit pause on school and pursue an exciting opportunity in the field – working in K9 security with Securiguard.
“It’s like having a co-worker and best friend all in one,” she says about her K9 partner, Ginny.
As a K9 handler, Kalen and Ginny patrol BC Ferries terminals across the Lower Mainland, responding to everything from medical emergencies and mental health crises to trespassing and theft. Together, they’re a calm, watchful presence, offering support not just to BC Ferries staff, but to local law enforcement agencies as well.
And how did she land this job? Through the JIBC Law Enforcement Studies Career Fair – an annual event hosted for students and graduates to explore career opportunities in law enforcement. The fair connects attendees with recruiters from top agencies like the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, Vancouver Police Department, BC Sheriff Service, E-Comm 911, and more. It’s a one-stop opportunity to learn about careers in policing, corrections, probation, security, and emergency response. For Kalen, it was the perfect launchpad.
From classroom to command
Kalen’s passion for law enforcement started early – volunteering in her community and studying criminology at SFU. But something was missing.
“I realized I wanted something more hands-on,” she explains. “I’m not a ‘behind-the-computer’ person. I wanted real-world experience. I attended an online seminar for the LESD program at JIBC, and I was sold within five minutes.”
What followed was a transformational experience. Kalen found herself immersed in courses taught by instructors who had served or were still serving in the field, bringing their knowledge to life through real-world examples and practical training.
She credits one course in particular – Applied Law Enforcement – as being especially impactful. Instructors recreated real scenarios from their careers, giving students the chance to step into their shoes and make decisions under pressure.
“That kind of training sticks with you,” Kalen says. “There are moments at work now that bring me right back to those lessons.”
Putting training to work
In her current role, Kalen draws on what she learned at JIBC every single day – especially communication and de-escalation.
“My job is mostly communication. One night, Ginny alerted me to a trespasser in the terminal. It was a sensitive situation and could have escalated quickly, but I used every de-escalation strategy I had learned at JIBC. That training gave me the tools, and the confidence, to handle it.”
She also emphasizes the importance of attention to detail, something she honed through countless class exercises and scenario-based learning.
Looking ahead
Kalen isn’t sure exactly where her career will take her, but she knows it will involve law enforcement and, ideally, working with dogs. She’s got her eye on K9 units with Metro Vancouver Transit Police and the Vancouver Police Department, but she’s also interested in criminal intelligence.
“There’s still more I want to learn and explore,” she says. “But I know I’m on the right path.”
Why JIBC?
For Kalen, JIBC offered more than just a diploma – it was a community. The cohort model built close bonds that she says mirror the teamwork and camaraderie found in professional law enforcement. “If you’re considering a career in law enforcement, this program is for you. The instructors, the course variety, the real-life training – you don’t find that anywhere else.”