Future looks bright for youth who attended RCMP Engagement Week

OTTAWA, Nov. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Last week, 32 high school students from across Canada spent a week at Depot, the RCMP Training Academy in Regina.  They experienced cadet training first-hand as part of the Force's second annual National Youth Engagement Week.

The students were immersed in the life of a cadet, eating and sleeping on site, trying their hand at the RCMP's driving and shooting simulators, and learning about how to apply the law in different police scenarios. They also jumped through the rigorous hoops of cadet physical training, self-defense and drill.

Participants got to experience the cadets physical training as part of their week at Depot. (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Mounted Police)

During their down time, the teens got a full tour of Depot and learned about the history of the RCMP when they visited the RCMP Heritage Centre.

"The National Youth Engagement Week was a wonderful experience where I got to learn about the RCMP and its training, including everything from forensic identification to police dogs. This program is a great way for youth to gain interest and knowledge in the RCMP," said Ian, a student from Ottawa, Ontario.

The teens were selected from provinces and territories across Canada based on academic achievement, community engagement, and a demonstrated interest in law enforcement.

"Spending time with young people in a positive context and getting them interested in policing is the goal of National Youth Engagement Week," says Staff Sergeant Maryse Quesnel of the RCMP's Heritage & Ceremonial Section. "We hope that by giving them an inside view of life as a cadet and an opportunity to learn about the RCMP's rich heritage, they will seriously consider a career in policing. It was truly a pleasure to spend time with such a great group of teens. They were motivated, enthusiastic and eager to learn – the ideal candidates for recruitment."

Link: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2017/future-looks-bright-youth-attended-rcmp-engagement-week

Quick Facts

• Supporting youth is one of the RCMP's five strategic priorities.
• The RCMP strives to get involved with youth from an early age, and to give them positive learning experiences and interactions with police officers.
• Through these experiences, youth will gain skills and knowledge that they can use to become active partners in helping keep Canadian communities safe.

Below is the list of attendees for the National Youth Engagement Week:

• Alberta: Tobin (Rocky Mountain House), Parker (Stony Plain), Nayla (Airdrie), Holly (Lac La Biche).
• British Columbia: Benjamin (Victoria), Kyla (Fraser Lake), Gabrielle (Merritt), Darshpreet (Surrey), Sophia (Langley), Amalia (Langley).
• Manitoba: Darius (Pelican Rapids), Hannah (Thompson), Abbegayle (Gimli)
• New Brunswick: Mary (Miramichi), Nicholas (Moncton).
• Newfoundland and Labrador: Jordan (St. George's), Alexandria (Northern Hem).
• Northwest Territories: Adam (Deline).
• Nova Scotia: Ryan (Digby), Jessy (Dartmouth).
• Nunavut: Sylvia (Arviat).
• Ontario: Alec (St-Isidore), Sylvia (Milton), Andrew (Ottawa), Ian (Ottawa).
• Prince Edward Island: Mason (Cornwall).
• Québec: Noémie (La Baie), Sarah (Notre-Dame-d'ile-Perrot), Ana Luisa (Montreal).
• Saskatchewan Matthew (Lebret), Devin (Foam Lake).
• Yukon: Regan (Whitehorse).

SOURCE Royal Canadian Mounted Police

RCMP Media Relations, [email protected], [phone]