Students sought for annual police academy

Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 06, 2009 4:00 PM

Kathy Szoboticsanec still recalls her first meeting with fellow Vernon police officer Jean Minguy. She had just been assigned to the Vernon detachment in 2005, and Minguy talked at length about an annual RCMP Youth Academy, hosted by Vernon. It was a chance for high school students to experience life as a police officer for one week. “Jean was such an integral part of that camp, and the whole camp surrounded him,” said Szoboticsanec. “I still get people coming up to me that were participants in the academy, and they talk about the privilege of working with Jean, the stories they have about him, the laughs. Obviously, he made an impact on their lives.” Minguy drowned that summer, on duty, in the waters of Okanagan Lake. The youth academy continues, now named in honour of the popular police officer, and Szoboticsanec is one of the main organizers.

The 10th annual RCMP Jean Minguy Memorial Youth Academy will run the week of April 27 at the Vernon Army Camp. The week-long program is open to 40 Grade 11 and 12 students from throughout the Okanagan. During the camp, students experience a variety of activities. “Basically, we try to simulate a one-week version of depot (RCMP training) where students receive training in self-defence, drill, classroom lectures on the Criminal Code and powers of arrest,” said Szoboticsanec. “It’s a high-intensity work experience program that will not only introduce students to the world of policing, but will also have them graduate as more responsible members of our community.” The youth academy runs in conjunction with the Vernon School District’s career program. Upon completion, students receive school credits. The camp provides students with an introduction into a possible law enforcement career, either as a police officer, corrections worker, lawyer or sheriff. Two of the camp’s graduates are currently stationed with the Kelowna RCMP. “It’s a win-win situation for the students, as well as us as we’re trying to recruit a lot of young candidates into policing,” said Szoboticsanec. “It gives them a better understanding of what we do. It shows them that policing is a possible career, or opens doors to another career in law enforcement.”

The academy is facilitated by actual members of the Vernon detachment, with help from colleagues from the South Okanagan. Minguy volunteered at the first five of these camps prior to his untimely death. The members volunteer their time and their expertise on such areas as police dog services, polygraph testing, and sex crimes. Along with the students, the members stay at the Vernon Army Camp throughout the week. Any students interested in attending the academy can pick up an application package through their high school’s career co-ordinator, or through the Vernon School District website – www.sd22.bc.ca. Click on the ‘students’ tab, then the ‘secondary’ tab and over to the ‘secondary programs’ link, where you’ll find a link to the RCMP Youth Academy information. Students must have applications submitted by March 13, when police will begin their screening process for the successful applicants.