Over a dozen local high school students took part in a Police Academy style event at Red Deer College on Wednesday. The event was hosted by Red Deer RCMP. (rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman

Pursuing Career Aspirations

Red Deer RCMP hosts Police Academy for local high school students

Nov 6, 2019 | 11:17 AM

Over a dozen local high school students are testing their mettle and suitability for a possible career in policing during a day-long Police Academy-style event Wednesday.

Hosted by Red Deer RCMP, Cst. Derek Turner says the event is a good introduction of what law enforcement training would look like for students considering that type of career.

“We run the PARE Test (Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation), get them all tired and sweaty, and answer their questions,” he explains. “They’re certainly a little nervous coming up to it, but we had a couple of our members come and run it first. They’re just figuring themselves out and where their weaknesses are, where their strengths are, and what to work on, so that when it comes the time to do it for real, it’ll be no problem.”

For students looking at a possible career in law enforcement, Turner hopes their Police Academy helps maintain or even strengthen their interest.

“I hope it shows them that no matter what they want to do, there are all kinds of opportunities within the RCMP,” says Turner. “They’re not doing the whole thing (today), they’re just doing half of it and it’s more for them to see where they are in their own life and what they need to work on as far as their physical ability. From that, they can start their physical training to improve on those skills.”

no one hurt

Grass fire along Taylor Drive extinguished Wednesday afternoon

7h ago

Nov. 13-15, 2024

Agri-Trade Equipment Expo unveils 2024 Ag Innovations finalists competing for $25,000

7h ago

OCTOBER 3

Blackfalds raising funds for youth winter coat program

7h ago

Police Academy participant Luis Perez, a 17-year-old Hunting Hills High School student, says he’s aiming for a career with the RCMP.

“My main goal after I graduate is to go and become an RCMP recruit and go to Regina,” says Perez. “My goal is to become an INTERPOL international police (officer) where they travel everywhere in the world solving cases, which is going to be a big step, but as long as you work for it, you can get anywhere. I want to help people, help those who are in need, making them feel better, at least changing this world bit by bit from what it is now, to something better.”

(rdnewsNOW / Sheldon Spackman)

Makenna Hercina, a 16-year-old Hunting Hills student, says she too is planning for a career with the RCMP following graduation.

“My long-term goal is Homicide Unit, but you obviously have to work your way up, so I’ll start as low as I can get and just keep working from there,” she explains. “I think it’s all a mental thing, the physical ability is there, it’s just persevering and getting through it. Lots of my family members have jobs in law enforcement, and I just love the adrenaline and everything.”

Turner says policing in Canada is a good job, and encourages those considering policing to give it a try.

“We want good people to join and be part of it,” adds Turner. “People with good ideas, innovative thinkers, people that want to get involved in their communities, that’s what we want. We encourage you to follow your dreams, push as hard as you can, and any questions, you can always come to community policing and ask us and we’ll be more than willing to help you out.”

Along with the morning physical testing session at RDC, Wednesda’s event also includes a fatal vision goggles demonstration and certificate presentations at the downtown RCMP detachment.