RCMP Youth Academy in Full Swing Over Spring Break

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Sixteen cadets joined each other at Brocklehurst Middle School over Spring Break for a week-long RCMP training opportunity that they won’t soon forget.

Coming together from Hope, Salmon Arm, Chase, Westwold, and Kamloops, the group of grade 11 and 12 students slept in barracks, participated in daily fitness activities, attended drill and police defensive tactic classes, participated in scenarios, and learned about the numerous units and partnerships within the RCMP. Presenters attending throughout the week included those from the Indigenous Policing Service, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – BC, Underwater Recovery Unit, BC Sheriffs, BC Correctional Officers, BC Prosecution Service, among others.

This year’s RCMP Youth Academy was organized by SD73’s Career Development Department and the RCMP. They focused on starting with and integrating throughout, an Aboriginal policing lens. The academy began with an opening smudging ceremony led by Randy Big Sorrel Horse and Amanda Big Sorrel Horse and closed with remarks by RCMP Superintendent Syd Lecky, the city’s first Indigenous officer in charge.

“I appreciate Amanda and Randy Big Sorrel Horse who offered each attendee an opportunity to be smudged. Starting the smudging with our heads, and then our hearts, and whole body, they shared gifts of peace and wellbeing, which helped everyone to feel centered,” stated Superintendent Rhonda Nixon.

From this ceremony, students learned alongside Constable Dave Dixon and Constable Mark Janis of the Indigenous Police Service, Tk’emlúps Rural Detachment.

Following the graduation ceremony, three students were recognized for their achievements: Cadet Brayden Hughes of South Kamloops Secondary School was named Valedictorian, Cadet Tyler Shular of NorKam Senior Secondary School was awarded Most Dedicated, and Cadet Christopher Bux of Valleyview Secondary School was named Top Cadet.

“When I experienced the closing ceremonies, I was struck by how much 16 students had learned and changed over a short five-day timeframe. The RCMP Youth Academy is one example of the immersive career development programming in our district and the importance of those experiences. I am so proud of these 16 students, the staff, and the RCMP officers who volunteered their time to make this possible,” said Board Chair Heather Grieve.