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Saskatchewan RCMP looking for applicants for APTP program

Jan 15, 2019 | 11:53 AM

The Saskatchewan RCMP is looking for prospective candidates for a country-wide program.

The Aboriginal Pre-Cadet Training Program will be offering Canadian Aboriginal people between the ages of 19-29 a chance to take a look at the life of a police officer during the three-week course. The successful applicants will be put to test from May 13 to 31, learning integral skills such as collaborative problem-solving skills, law enforcement, public speaking, cultural diversity and facilitating Safe Community Workshops in communities.

The program originated in Ontario, but is overseen and run by the E Division in British Columbia. It was farmed out to each individual province, where each area is divvied out a specific number of applicants to participate in the program. In Saskatchewan, just four spots are open for the entire province.

Sgt. Barry Ledoux, provincial coordinator for the program, said this is a recruiting tool for the RCMP in trying to get more interested Indigenous people as police officers. It’s also a recruiting tool for policing, but it doesn’t just stop on the front lines for the successful applicants.

“People then go on to join the RCMP in the capacity of the support personnel that could be at the detachment level, the national level, or (at) headquarters,” he said. “For some people, policing in specific isn’t for them, so there (are those) other options.”

There are a set of requirements for applicants to meet to be hired for the program, which does also include additional processes including a security check for the individuals. The basic requirements are being of the age requirements of 19 to 29 years of age, be of Canadian First Nation, Métis or Inuit descent, be of good character, be in good physical condition, possess a Canadian High School Diploma or equivalent and have a valid Canadian Drivers License.

Sgt. Ledoux went into depth when speaking about what the students will be learning, and what experience they will gain during the May course.

“(They will be shown the) different aspects of the RCMP training academy,” he said. “There are certain protocol and rituals that are taught at our depot facility. It starts with an early wake-up and chores that have to be done before you go for your breakfast.”

There are classroom hours that need to be met throughout each day at depot in Regina. The classroom hours consist of problem-solving skills, law enforcement such as legislation and criminal code, public speaking, diversity in facilitating safe community learning workshops and physical fitness. There are also evening activities that are looked at such as drill, building the aspect of teamwork and trust in moving with a cohesive unit. Sgt. Ledoux was able to sum up the ideology behind the program, and what these students will achieve within the three-week course.

“The long-term strategy of the facilitators are for people to maximize their abilities and be comfortable when they leave the three-week training program, whether a career in policing is for them,” he said.

This program can also help the students long-term, in ways outside of policing. Being able to complete the three-week program shows that the students have the discipline to comply by the rules of the course and meet the expectations given by those in charge. In going through the program, the skills are interchangeable for a variety of different jobs, something that will look great on their resume to separate them from the pack.

Sgt. Ledoux had great things to say about the course and the state of Indigenous policing in the province.

“The fact that we have more Indigenous people interested in policing, in general, is an asset to the country,” he said. “The RCMP (doesn’t) look at it as just our RCMP training Indigenous people. (It may not be for them), but it may sway them in another direction.”

The RCMP will additionally provide transportation, meals, accommodation, uniform and three weeks of wages during the program. Anyone interested in the APTP, or is looking to apply, is asked to contact Sgt. Ledoux directly at 639-625-4221.

 

brady.lang@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @BradyLangCJNB