Those looking to make a difference in the world or simply interested in upholding the law have a chance to scout out a career as a cop.
The RCMP are currently in the area recruiting for positions across Canada.
"There鈥檚 always a need for police officers," said Const. Tania Finn, Vernon North Okanagan RCMP media relations officer.
Finn and her detachment hosted a recruiting team from the Lower Mainland for Coffee with a Cop at Tim Hortons Tuesday, Aug. 26. The team from the Lower Mainland is also stationed at the Armstrong IPE in the Hassen Arena.
In Vernon, several potential new recruits interested in a career with the RCMP stopped by to ask questions and learn more.
Jean Mamboma, a carpenter from 麻豆精选, made the trip to Vernon to learn more about what it takes to join the force.
Originally from Quebec, Mamboma remembers police coming to schools to talk to kids about social media.
Const. Shawn Courtorielle explained that specific school liaison officers are just one particular posting within the RCMP. Others include the dog section, federal positions, riding on boats, riding on aircrafts, the opportunities are plentiful.
And it turns out, anyone who has graduated high school is eligible.
"Honestly, just Grade 12," Courtorielle said. "Maybe they鈥檙e a hockey player, they鈥檙e really good at the team stuff. That makes a difference.
While a lot of the current RCMP officers have criminal justice backgrounds, it isn't necessary. And in fact, all backgrounds are encouraged to diversify the force.
"We are hoping you bring new things to us," said Courtorielle, adding that a number of people are joining as a second career.
And age doesn't matter, as a 63-year-old proved going through depot.
Depot is the training ground that successful applicants spend six months at before taking a posting.
But first, they must get through the online application process, which takes between eight and 10 months.
"Everything is done online now, it's way easier," said Courtorielle.
Successful depot graduates are then assigned to a community, which could land them anywhere in in Canada.
"You could potentially get brought back to B.C. but it鈥檚 not likely. Our policing in B.C. is getting better now, but other provinces aren鈥檛," said Courtorielle, adding there are a lot of openings in the Prairies.
"But we only tell you where to go one time and then you guide your career."
The average age in the RCMP is about 30, good news for 24-year-old Mamboma, who also scores extra for speaking French, English and Russian.
He thought a knee injury might impact his ability to do the job, but Courtorielle is a prime example of someone who has been able to work through it.
"I came in with injuries on my knee. I鈥檝e had it for 26 years," said the constable, who worked in the gang unit in the Lower Mainland.
For Mamboma, returning home to Quebec in recent years and seeing the amount of crime that goes unenforced is what drives his passion for policing.
But Courtorielle does caution that holding a gun and a badge only goes so far.
"Unfortunately our government system and law system isn鈥檛 the best right now."
Speaking of guns, Mamboma was also curious how often police officers actually use them.
"Firing it is in between one and three per cent across Canada," said Courtorielle. "But pulling it out could be on a weekly basis sometimes. You don鈥檛 know what you鈥檙e going into, so you have your firearm out. For protection."
The job definitely has its hazards, the largest of which is post traumatic stress.
But the old days of 'the old boys club,' where no one speaks of their worries are a memory now.
"People are talking about it openly now, talking about talking to a psychiatrist, talking with their family. Nobody is hiding it now. We have feelings."
