Prince George RCMP is looking for more volunteers to fill out its victim services unit roster.
The count stands at an "amazing, close knit and dedicated team of 12 volunteers," said Krista Levar, the unit's coordinator, "but we like to have that number sitting at between 16 and 20."
It's not for everyone - volunteers accompany RCMP officers to "sometimes devastating, brutal scenes of crime and tragedy," where they "provide support to the survivors and loved ones of murder, sudden death, suicide, assault, sexual assault, and motor vehicle fatalities."
They also attend court with victims, assist with referrals and "provide the community with support when it is most needed."
"It takes a special kind of person to volunteer in this capacity and I think you either know you can handle it or you know you can't," Levar said.
That said, if you're hesitant but still interested, it's still worthwhile to at least make some inquiries. An information session is set for Tuesday at city hall, starting at 6:30 p.m.
She said volunteers typically come in two forms - those interested in eventually becoming RCMP officers and empty nesters with time to contribute to the community.
"You do have to have a bit of a strong stomach sometimes," Levar said, but on the upside, volunteers are valued by the police and the public.
"People don't realize how important the victim services unit is until somebody you love has died and you don't know what to do and you don't know where to turn and then somebody from here guides you through it," Levar said.
Volunteers were acknowledged at an awards ceremony Monday that featured a long-service award for Mary Beeksma, who has put in 4,000 hours over a 12-year-span. Beeksma declined to be interviewed but Levar described her as "warm hearted" and "caring."
Those accepted into the program are provided with extensive training. For more information, call Levar at 250-561-3373.
