West Kelowna RCMP host group of Indigenous youth for mock 'Depot'

Photo: RCMP

The West Kelowna Indigenous Policing Section hosted 16 youth last month for a mini Depot-style experience called “Cop Camp," with a focus on shedding a positive light on the RCMP for young Indigenous kids.

The children were given matching tracksuits, put inside a dorm-style environment and were instructed on a wide variety of aspects within the RCMP.

The four-day event introduced the youth to the importance of physical fitness, drills, and demonstrations shown from various sections of the RCMP such as, police dog Services, forensic identification, emergency response team, traffic services and recruiting.

Const. Rolly Williams — who organized the event — says the goal was to pique the kids’ curiosity and to show them a snapshot into the Depot experience, as well as to explore career opportunities as a police officer.

“These young people are our future. My job here is to get a few kids to come out of the camp and get them interested in and excited about becoming a member of the RCMP. With a career in the RCMP, they can go out and make a difference in the world,” explained Williams.

The experience came two years after it was postponed by the COVID pandemic.

Photo: RCMP