COP members participate recently in a Lock It or Lose It exercise. (Citizens on Patrol)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

working together

Citizens on Patrol happy to be eyes and ears of community for RCMP

Aug 4, 2019 | 10:00 AM

Red Deer’s Citizens on Patrol (COP) organization wants people to know they’re welcome to join the group, which is a member of the Central Alberta Crime Prevention Centre and has a working relationship with the RCMP.

Current president Tyler Magill, who has been involved with COP since 2010, says that relationship with the force is important because they know their backs are had.

“It’s nice to have them in your corner. We carry ID badges and wear vests so they know who we are,” he says. “If you’re just out doing it on your own, they might question why you’re doing it. It just gives us some legitimacy, and we’re trained.”

COP in Red Deer currently has just over 30 members. To get approved, one must fill out an application, have a background check done, and then attend a training session conducted by RCMP. In all, the process can take about three months before a new member starts off with a probationary period.

“We go out in groups of two or more and we typically drive, but have done walking and bike patrols before. We basically look for suspicious activity, and we’re the eyes and ears of the community for police,” says Magill.

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“When we go out, we check in with RCMP and the watch clerks. Sometimes we even talk to the watch commander or the sergeant so they know we’re out and about. When we’re done, they check in on us as well.”

The commitment asked for by organizers is 12 hours of volunteering per quarter.

“It’s given me a better understanding for what happens and goes on this city, how our police deal with situations, and I have a lot more respect and understanding for the calls that come in. A lot of people complain when they don’t get service, but being part of Citizens on Patrol, you learn a little bit about the matrix of it,” he continues.

“It’s rewarding. We’ve been successful in helping citizens, and locating missing persons, and stolen vehicles. There is some satisfaction there, but the other thing is just working with the other members, we develop friendships.”

Citizens on Patrol is one of more than 60 active COP groups operating around Alberta. COP, along with the Alberta Rural Crime Watch, Central Alberta Crime Stoppers, MADD Red Deer & District, and Red Deer Neighbourhood Watch, are members of the Central Alberta Crime Prevention Centre.

For more information, visit www.CACPC.ca.