The Prince George RCMP say their Youth Academy starts this weekend on March 17, with 14 students participating in the week-long initiative, which aims to give them a sneak-peek at what Depot is like for those entering RCMP training.
The academy is hosted at College Heights Secondary School, with students taking on a physical abilities test, drill practice, handcuffing, and taking classes in Indigenous Policing, Criminal Code offenses and powers of arrest, among other subjects.
In a press release, Prince George RCMP caught up with Mekenna Parker, an alumnus of the academy from 2018, providing a short Q&A on how the initiative helped prepare for her first posting as a Mountie.
"The program's week-long structure, which mirrors Cadet Training, was a significant factor in this," said Parker. "The classroom settings, physical aspects, exposure to drill classes, and early mornings all gave me a taste of what was to come. However, the most valuable aspect was the emphasis on teamwork, a core value at Depot. Understanding this from the RCMP's perspective made the transition into training much smoother."
She added that there's only so much you can condense into one week compared to 26 weeks of training in Regina, and the biggest difference for her was adjusting to a new environment and navigating a structured lifestyle for an extended period of time.
"Another aspect I appreciate about the Youth Academy is the exposure to the many careers the RCMP offers. In Depot, training aims to build a foundation of knowledge for policing," continued Parker. "The Youth Academy touches on this but also introduces participants to other paths outside of general duty policing, such as Police Dog Services, Major Crime Units, the Emergency Response Team, and so much more."
You can read the full interview with Officer Parker below:
PGRCMP Youth Academy Starts This Weekend 240314 by Tom Summer on Scribd
