2017 Courage & Bravery Local Hero Winners the RCMP Auxiliary Program
SPONSORED BY COMOX VALLEY DODGE
For some involved in the RCMP Auxiliary Constable program, it is an opportunity to give back to the community. For others, it’s a start for a future career in policing.
And for others – especially female members – it’s an opportunity to show their family they can be a positive role model and equal to men, explained A/Const. Linda Thomas, a five-year member. The program has been an integral part of the Comox Valley community for nearly 50 years, which allows civilian community members to receive specialized training and stand side- by-side with police officers of the RCMP.
“When (volunteers) sign up to the program, they understand there’s a risk every time they put on the uniform, but they do it because they love the community and want it to be a safe place to live,” said Thomas. “For us, it’s a huge honour for the community to recognize the time and energy we put into the program … but there’s not a single person who goes into for the recognition.”
Each auxiliary constable is required to complete a minimum number of 160 voluntary hours each year. The constables regularly go above and beyond these required hours. Over the past five years, the auxiliary constables have donated an average of more than 3,000 hours of their own time.
“Part of the role is to project positive policing – we’re here to help and we’re not the bad guys,” noted Thomas.
She said auxiliaries are also heavily invested within the community, as the more than 15 members come from diverse backgrounds – from doctors to educations and everything in between. As RCMP officers transfer in and out of the detachment, auxiliaries have been steadfast and are able to assist new members to find their way around and familiarize themselves with the community.
They also assist officers with calls, events, aid with school and detachment tours, Mountie camps, assisting at music festivals and working with officers during times of crisis.
