Nearly two years have passed since the creation of the Saskatchewan RCMP Indigenous Recruiting Unit and the dedication of the RCMP Indigenous Recruiters has not wavered. Recruiters continue to attract and meet with people considering a career in law enforcement and have also continued to play a primary role in mentoring applicants through the process. Recruiters work hard to recognize potential barriers applicants face and the need for tailored approaches for those coming from isolated communities.
As part of the RCMP Regular Member application process, applicants nearing the final stages are requested to submit proof of completion of a valid First Aid certificate, including Level C CPR for infant, child and adult as an application requirement.
While this can be an easy request for some, this requirement can present challenges for others, particularly those applicants who live in isolated communities in which access to these courses are not always as readily available as they are in larger centres. In many cases, travel outside of the community is required and the cost of the training along with travel and accommodation expenses can be prohibitive to some applicants.
As a way to mitigate some of these challenges, Cpl. Kim Gobeil, a Saskatchewan RCMP Indigenous Recruiter, put forward an innovative initiative to assist current applicants who were at this stage of the application process, by having them train alongside current Saskatchewan RCMP officers.
"As a Recruiter, not only are we continually thinking one step ahead, we are thinking outside the box to find solutions to address geographic and socio-economic barriers for our Saskatchewan applicants," said Cpl. Gobeil. "Knowing we already provide First Aid training courses to our officers, it just seemed to make sense to have these applicants join us (Saskatchewan RCMP officers) for training."
Cpl. Gobeil arranged for eleven Saskatchewan applicants who required their First Aid certificates to attend training in Saskatoon alongside RCMP officers, providing them with hospitality and accommodations during their stay. This arrangement provided applicants the required training, but also provided an opportunity for them to meet other peers in the application process and form friendships which may continue to support them as they move through the process and potentially through their future policing careers. Further benefits of this training included exposure and familiarity to RCMP culture and facilities, and the positive addition of the First Aid skills and knowledge applicants returned to their home communities with.
Current Saskatchewan RCMP officers who attended the training could not have thought more positively about the experience, noting they hoped to see more initiatives like this in the future.
The success of this initiative has sparked the beginning of new opportunities for both applicants and officers, with the possibility of finding new ways to provide assistance and mentorship to applicants at different stages of the application process.
Cpl. Gobeil is hopeful that although these applicants have a ways to go before becoming officers, they truly feel like they are being taken care of and supported by the Saskatchewan RCMP Indigenous Recruiting Unit. He stated: "It is a good chance for us to really highlight not only the training opportunities we provide to our officers here in Saskatchewan, but also how welcoming we are and how excited we are to work alongside these applicants in the future as colleagues. We can't wait to see where we can collaborate between applicants and officers next - the opportunities are endless!"