Week 23: Ready for anything

Mental health crises

Not all calls for service are criminal in nature. Some may involve a mental health crisis. Cadets learn different approaches to work with people in mental distress. They learn the importance of building relationships with community-based organizations and supports.

An important part of this training is learning about others' experiences. Cadets hear stories from other police officers and community members. Outside agencies also provide cadets with presentations and mental health education.

These challenges remind us, as police officers, to not lose the “human touch” while carrying out our duties.

Immediate Action Rapid Deployment

While at Depot, cadets receive training in Immediate Action Rapid Deployment. Cadets learn to identify, confront and stop ongoing threats to the public as fast as possible.

Cadets learn how to work with the public and other officers in response to active threats. These tactics provide a unique perspective and focus on working as team.

Carbine qualifications

This week, cadets complete their final test with the patrol carbine. A key use for this equipment is to protect officers in active threat situations. Instructors test cadets on marksmanship and carbine safety and handling skills. These tests also evaluate cadets on how they apply training fundamentals.

In the field, all RCMP members complete annual recertification with a patrol carbine.

Final detachments

All the work and effort cadets have put in from the start has led to this moment. They have made it to the final stages of the Cadet Training Program. This week, cadets take part in final detachments. These are the biggest scenarios cadets experience at Depot.

Instructors evaluate how each cadet responds to a particular call for service. Cadets need to apply all the knowledge and skills they have learned to date. They must show that they can make confident, lawful and ethical decisions. They always need to keep their safety and the safety of those involved in mind.

Cyberbullying

Modern technology has had a big impact on society. Social media presents a very real threat of cyberbullying to Canadians. Cyberbullying affects victims in different ways than traditional bullying. It can follow a victim everywhere, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the field, police will work with victims of cyberbullying.

Prevention and awareness of bullying in our communities, workplaces and schools is important. At Depot, cadets take special training in online investigations and social media use. They take part in sensitive scenarios that focus on cyberbullying. Compassion and empathy are key when working with victims of bullying.