Erin Haluschak
Record Staff
From identifying clues at crime scenes to learning marching drills, more than 60 cadets from the Comox Valley will go through RCMP training in April.
Unlike the formal ‘depot’ in Regina, the camp will only last one week, and the cadets are all teenagers.
What began as a joint venture between School District 71 Work Experience Program and the Comox Valley RCMP, the annual Mounted Police Camp is entering its 11th session, explained Const. Don Sinclair.
“There are so many components to the program including fitness, classroom and marching,” he said, and added various police departments come together such as the identification unit and victim services to provide students a full scope of the life of an RCMP officer.
The camp is offered to high school students in Grades 10 to 12 from April 12 to 17 at HMCS Quadra.
Students are lodged during the entire week in a dormitory-type setting, and Sinclair said the program enhances self-esteem and increases leadership skills in both the school and larger community.
“It’s great for students who may have an interest in law enforcement or the legal system, and it gives them an opportunity for first hand experience.”
The students can receive credits towards their high school diploma after successfully completing the week. Sinclair added the end of the program features a graduation where students perform a marching drill for their parents and dignitaries.
Interested students are invited to apply through their school’s work experience co-ordinators and must go through an interview process and criminal record check prior to being accepted into the camp.
The cost to register is $150, but is subsidized by community donations and contributions, noted Sinclair, who added the camp costs approximately $15,000 to run.
Service clubs or individuals wishing to make a donation can do so by contacting Sinclair at the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-132 or don.sinclair@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
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