The RCMP is looking for the next batch of Indigenous young adults interested in a career in policing.
The national police force is currently recruiting for its Aboriginal Pre-Cadet Training Program (PTP), which offers Indigenous people between the ages of 19 and 29 the opportunity to get an inside look at the life of a police officer. The summer program provides candidates with hands-on experience in the RCMP’s training program.
Applicants must be a Canadian citizen of First nation, Métis or Inuit descent, be of good character and be able to pass an enhanced reliability security check, be in good physical condition, possess a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid driver’s license.
Successful recruits will attend a three-week training program at the RCMP Training Academy (Depot) in Regina from mat 14 to 31. The training focuses on teaching problem-solving skills, law enforcement, public speaking, cultural diversity and facilitating Safe Community Workshops in communities. The RCMP provides transportation, meals, accommodation, uniform and three weeks of training wages. The deadline for applications is Feb 22.
“It’s a three-week training program that offers a cadet insight into what a career in policing would be like,” said RCMP Sgt. Barry Ledoux.
“We find it is a great recruiting tool for Indigenous people.”
Ledoux said some of the depot teachings are used for the lessons.
“We’re going to work on some public speaking, because a lot of people are a little hesitant when it comes to talking in front of people, but as a police officer this is one of the things you have to prepare yourself for,” he said.
“Also, how to facilitate Safe Community Workshops, so if they were to go back to their community and say ‘I want to work with youth, I want to work with the children’ in terms of crime prevention and reduction, we’ll provide them with the skills to look at something like that.”
The training also involves some physical fitness and drill.
Drill helps to bring the recruits together, Ledoux said.
“You start out as 32 people who know nothing about each other. After three weeks, they’re working as a unit. A drill component (shows) what a group of people can do together as a team.”
Graduates of the program can go on to careers in policing, or they may decide it’s not the life for them.”We had a person last year who wasn’t quite ready for policing, but was really taken by the support aspect of the RCMP,” Ledoux said.
“As a result, she was able to obtain employment with a local detachment.”
The program is another step to include more indigenous people in a policing career, Ledoux said, and gives people between the ages of 19 and 29 an idea of what they can expect.
“It shows the ins and outs of attending depot as a cadet and being part of the RCMP,” he said.
For more information or to apply, contact Sgt. Barry Ledoux at barry.ledoux@rcmp.gc.ca
