First Nations Voice

PAGE 14 • SEPTEMBER 2014 CAdets get An inside lOOk At wOrking with rCmp Assistant Commissioner Kevin Brosseau, Commanding Officer RCMP "D" Division MEGAMONSTER BINGO SESSION IN KENORA $ 100,000.00 IN PRIZES FOOD SPECIALS MEGAMONSTERBINGOSESSION DoorsOpen-10:00am EarlyBirds-1:00pm RegularGamestoFollow ...Stay&Playour regularsession@6pm ENTRYBOOKS 9-UP$110.00(ADVANCE*) &$125.00ATDOOR RegularGamesat$2,000.00 RegularGamesat$2,000.00 1Specialat$3,000.00 EarlyBirdsat $1,000.00&$1,500.00 FULLHOUSEGAMES $20,000&$30,000 EXTRAPRICES Extra9upBook-$25.00 Extra6upBook-$15.00 EarlyBirds-$2.00 Specials,Bonanzas&Full HouseStrips$3.00 *Outoftownadvancepaymentsmustbebycertifiedchequeormoneyorderonly,andmadepayabletoGoldenEagleBingo.MustbereceivedbySeptember20,2014 Licence#361-14issuedbyWauzhushkOnigumGamingCommissionLicencee:WauzhushkOnigumFoundation. INFO:(807)548-1332WEBSITE:bingokenora.comFACEBOOK:www.facebook.com/Goldeneaglebingo Saturday,October4,2014attheGoldenEagleBingoHall "I got a lot of pos- itive feedback from people," says Na- than King of Nor- way House. "They say that it's good for me to have this job and come back to the community." King is one of four Manitobans who were among the 21 graduates of the RCMP's Ab- original Pre-Cadet Training Program (APTP) in June. Over a three-week period, the APTP candidates learned the basics in a number of areas, including: •police driving techniques, radio communi- cations, directing traffic and investigating col- lisions; •the Criminal Code, interviewing, cultural diversity, finding and collecting evidence and appearing in Court; •rules regarding use of force, defensive techniques, risk assessment and handcuffing, escorting and searching subjects; and •preparation for the RCMP fitness test and an introduction to firearms. After their training at the RCMP Academy, "Depot" Division, in Regina, the cadets spent eight weeks working alongside police officers at RCMP detachments in or near their home communities. "I learned a lot about the Criminal Code and how much work is included in a file," says 19-year-old King. "It's a real eye opener for what life at Depot is like and what it is like out in the field. The RCMP offers great career op- portunities, a lot more than any other police agency. With lots of specializations and a chance to go across the country. And they of- fer good benefits." While Brooke Turnbull of LaSalle worked out of "D" Division RCMP headquarters with Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services, she ventured out of Winnipeg to work with the com- munities of Bloodvein, God's Lake Narrows, Little Black First Nation, Sagkeeng, Selkirk, Winnipeg Beach, and Gimli. Her duties were varied: communicating on the radio, assisting with writing tickets, responding to calls with her partner and, while on foot patrol or at Trea- ty Days and other events, and speaking to the community about the APTP and the RCMP. "I thought it was a great program that gave you the exposure to various different fields and communities you will experience working with- in the RCMP," said Turnbull. "I enjoyed working with many officers in different detachments so I could then get a better grasp of what type of things these communities deal with." Turnbull also attended Depot Youth Camp 2014 in Regina as a facilitator and mentor to participants adjusting to Depot. She became a resource for those with questions about the APTP, the application process, and what youth camp was like the previous year. Ryan Bidinosti, who was posted to his home community of Selkirk, says the program was everything he expected - from taking finger- prints to going on calls in progress and more - and wishes the program lasted longer. He really enjoyed talking with fishermen while on boat patrol on the Red River; he also worked with a number of communities, including Bro- kenhead Ojibway Nation, Winnipeg Beach, Clandeboye, Petersfield, and East St. Paul. Bidinosti thinks that the APTP is the best way to gain experience and knowledge about police work. "I have learned a lot about what policing is really about and how the calls are dealt with from start to finish." That is echoed by Ashlee Elke of Brandon, who says in that aspect the RCMP is unlike any other police force. During her time with the Oakbank Detachment, she also noted that the members have a lot of paperwork to look after when they are not on a call. It wasn't all desk work, though. Elke had a chance to connect with community members during patrol at the Folk Festival at Birds Hill Park, as well as in Beausejour and the RM of Springfield. "It's a great experience," says Elke, "and (young people) should take the advantage of it if they want to pursue a career with the RCMP. Getting to see what the Cadets do at Depot will really help when I hopefully get to go back as a Cadet myself." This is exactly what the Aboriginal Pre-Ca- det Training Program is for: hands-on experi- ence at the RCMP Academy (Depot) and the chance to work with RCMP officers at nearby detachments. I'm thrilled to hear that all four of our APTP cadets are planning on applying to be a police officer with the RCMP. I encourage more Aboriginal youth to con- sider a career with the RCMP, as diversity in our workforce not only better reflects the com- munities we serve, but also provides us with an enhanced understanding of cultural issues. If you'd like to experience a summer of police work and are between the ages of 19 and 29, and of First Nation, Métis or Inuit descent, visit www.rcmpcareers.ca or call 1-877-726-7472 for more information.

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