RCMP recruiting for Aboriginal troop

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In an attempt to increase the numbers of Aboriginal officers available to police communities across the province, the RCMP in Saskatchewan are working to put together a new Aboriginal RCMP troop.

This will be the third Aboriginal troop created by the RCMP in Saskatchewan. The first troop began training in November 1999, while the second started training in February 2001, and will graduate in July. The third Aboriginal troop is scheduled to begin training in February 2002.

"Basically the communities are requesting more Aboriginal members to reflect the population that they police. And in order to make sure that we are able to recruit and meet our target, it's been working well for us to kind of basically focus on getting a troupe together, and going out to recruit for that," explained Cpl. Carol Bradley, a recruiting officer with the Saskatchewan RCMP.

"As far as I know, at this point in time, we're the only division in the RCMP that recruits that way . . . we recruit to get together a Saskatchewan Aboriginal troupe, as opposed to just sort of recruiting," Bradley said.

In addition to recruiting for the Aboriginal troop, regular recruiting is also held throughout the year. However, Aboriginal members recruited through the regular recruiting are put in other troops, not the Aboriginal troop.

One of the advantages of applying to the Aboriginal troop rather that through the general recruitment process is added assistance to get through the application process, Cpl. Bradley explained.

"Sometimes it can be a little more difficult for Aboriginal people to get through the application process, especially for those who live outside of the major urban areas," she said.

"I think by saying we're going to have an Aboriginal troop, it allows us in the recruiting office to mentor people through this process, and to kind of take a special interest in people and to ensure that we do attain our goals, and that there is nobody slipping through the cracks.

"In terms of general recruiting, people go through the process, it's kind of first come, first served, in the sense that we require our cadets to go through a number of steps. It's sometimes more advantageous to people that live in a place like Regina or Saskatoon, to have access to medicals and eye exams and PARE tests, which is our Physical Ability Requirement Evaluation. And for that reason, some of these applications might proceed a little bit more quickly.

"If we say our goal is to increase our number of Aboriginal members in order to meet the needs of our community, then this ensures that we get to that goal, and that we take a little bit of extra time through the recruiting process to make sure that we are mentoring people through it."

Other than the fact that all the members of the troop are Aboriginal, cadets in the Aboriginal troop go through the same training as all cadets, and must meet the same stringent recruiting and training standards.

Once their training is completed, members of the Aboriginal troop are posted back to Saskatchewan communities. This differs from those going through the general training process, where members could be posted anywhere in Canada.

The Saskatchewan RCMP are now actively recruiting for the next Aboriginal troop, trying to get the message out through a poster campaign and by faxing information to band offices. Recruiters will also be going on the road, travelling to different communities throughout the province and holding special writings of the entrance exam.

Bradley indicated the response to the Aboriginal troops has been very positive among the province's Aboriginal communities, which is why more troops are still being recruited.

"I think that, as a recruiting initiative, it really helps you to remain focused on a goal and attain it," she said.

All First Nations and Metis people who meet the RCMP's minimum requirements are encouraged to apply for entry into the Saskatchewan Aboriginal troop. Candidates must be Canadin citizens at least 19 years old by the time the training begins. Applicants must be physically fit, have a valid Canadian driver's license and Grade 12 or equivalent, and must be of good character.

For more information about how to apply to the RCMP's Saskatchewan Aboriginal troop, call Cp. Carol Bradley in recruiting at 780-5505.