KiYong Hwang is a pioneer with the Fredericton Police Force, helping the department create a program for immigrants like him who want to become police officers.

The former military police officer in South Korea is working a six-month term with the force. The province, together with the Multicultural Association of Fredericton, is funding the work placement program.

With the city in need of new officers, Const. Jan Smith is glad to have Hwang, who arrived in Fredericton as a landed immigrant with his family in February 2008.

"He himself has gone through many of these hurdles and obstacles that have been put there for various reasons. He’s looking at simplifying that process and working with organizations in order to do that," Smith, a youth co-ordinator with the police force, said Wednesday.

Coun. Eric Megarity, who is chairing city hall’s new immigration committee, said the group will start with the basics of adapting to a new culture and "put some strategies in place to deal with this, and to be more aware of the issues surrounding this, and just to make people coming into Canada and New Brunswick more welcome."

The committee will be looking for advice from the Multicultural Association and the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce.

Immigration has been on the rise in Fredericton for the past three years, said Lisa Bamford, executive director of the Multicultural Association.

She is glad to see the city come on board, and to hear that the new committee will be seeking contributions from her association.

"It’s not always financial resources. Sometimes, it’s ‘in kind,’ sometimes it’s knowledge-based that we’re sharing,” Bamford said.

"But the important thing is to understand the roles of each of the stakeholders, and then look at ways in which we could partner and make something stronger."

Smith said she knows it can be something as simple as exchanging food, as she has done with Hwang.

"KiYong will bring in treats for us to share, and likewise, we like to do the same for him. So we give KiYong the opportunity to have some fiddleheads, some strawberry jam and Wagonwheels," Smith said.