As we all know, an RCMP officer may work anywhere in Canada after they graduate. In rural and remote detachments, the usual police cars are often swapped out for 4x4 police pickup trucks. Police driving is a skill unto itself, and operating a 4x4 vehicle in a police setting adds an extra layer of difficulty. It is at Depot that cadets will learn how to properly operate these vehicles in varied and unpredictable conditions.

Depot’s 4x4 driving track is the only one of its kind in Canada. It contains over 20 different stations, crossings, and obstacles, designed to simulate any possible off-road encounter an RCMP member may have. These stations include river crossings, fallen trees, boulders, steep curves, Texas gates, and a variety of different road materials. Under the guidance of expert instructors from the Police Driving Unit, cadets will learn how to properly and safely tackle these obstacles. To prepare for emergencies that require an off-road response, cadets are also expected to confidently drive at higher speeds in sand, mud, and various sizes of gravel. After some 4x4 familiarization, cadets may receive also receive scenario calls requiring them to use a marked 4x4 vehicle to respond.

Depot is home to cadets from all across Canada, and some may not have experienced 4x4 driving before. This specialized track ensures that, by the time they leave Depot, every graduate is up to same level of off-road proficiency.