Red Deer, Alta. – Red Deer RCMP welcomed numerous local youth last week to provide them an up-close look at the many different roles in policing.
For over 5 years, Red Deer RCMP Youth and Community Action Team (YCAT) has been hosting its annual Youth Academy, which invites local high school students who may be interested in a career in policing to experience what being a police officer is all about.
In previous years, students attended the detachment for a series of information sessions with various specialized units and members, to learn and ask questions. Two years ago, the program shifted to a hands-on, scenario-based experience, where students are exposed to the different units, roles and specialties through a day-long scenario. Cpl. Prosser, who oversees Red Deer RCMP YCAT, says ‘Hosting the Youth Academy is a highlight for our members every year, especially since we adapted it to make it a more hands-on and immersive experience. You get to see the students work through solving a crime and figuring out who the suspect is, while meeting all the different police officers who work together to bring a case to a successful conclusion.”
The program takes place over 2 days each fall/ winter. Each session is a one-day event where students are given a mock scenario. Throughout the day they are exposed to the initial dispatch of a General Duty member and are required to request assistance of support units such as Forensic Identification Section (FIS), and Police Dog Services (PDS), in order to identify and apprehend their suspect. The students also run a police physical test as part of their day, and spend time with members of the Operational Skills Maintenance Training unit learning how to handcuff and safely arrest a suspect.
“The day is highly rewarding for both the students and our members,” says Cpl. Prosser. “It gives us a chance to interact with community youth in a relaxed and fun setting, having some laughs and getting to know some of the future leaders and police officers amongst us.”
The program is open to all local high school youth (grades 9-12) who are in good standing with the school and have an interest in a career in policing. Information is available at each high school.
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