Aboriginal students complete first leg of training program

REGINA, May 22, 2009 – Thirty-two young men and women stood proudly in the RCMP Academy Multipurpose Training Facility as they received their certificates of participation in the Aboriginal Pre-Cadet Training Program (APTP) from “Depot” Division Commanding Officer, Assistant Commissioner Roger L. Brown.

They are the latest participants in a 17-week RCMP National Recruiting Program initiative that enables Aboriginal students to learn about law enforcement and the criminal justice field.

Participants spent the first three weeks of the program at Depot. They then work with experienced police officers in detachments near their home town using skills acquired at the RCMP Academy.

Participant Anita Pelletier found the experience most rewarding and can hardly wait to begin her new posting at Yorkton detachment, in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.

“My experience here was amazing, it was a real eye opener and inspires me to continue my quest to become a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police,” stated Pelletier.

According to the program manager, Sergeant Ed Jobson, graduates leave the Academy with a greater appreciation of policing and of the role of aboriginal people in the RCMP. Many past students have returned to “Depot” Division and have become regular members of the RCMP.

“The RCMP Academy portion of the APTP is designed to give participants a taste of what life is like as an RCMP cadet. Not unlike regular cadets, students live and work as a troop and attend classes while at Depot. This experience not only builds their self-esteem, but also prepares them for the Academy should they choose a career in the RCMP.”

The APTP participants were selected from a pool of candidates from across the country. To find out more about the program, please visit the website: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/aboriginal-autochtone/aboriginal-autochtone-eng.htm.

The RCMP is committed to contributing to safer and healthier Aboriginal communities. The RCMP works with Aboriginal communities to prevent crime through social development, improve the ongoing delivery of culturally appropriate policing services and encourage ongoing consultation with the communities to ensure their needs are being met.

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For more information please contact:

Sgt. Alain LeBlanc
NCO/IC Communications & Events Management Services
RCMP “Depot” Division
office: 306-780-6371
cell: 306-502-0193