RCMP volunteers wanted

Darren Handschuh -CASTANET Mar 2, 2016 / 12:04 pm

Vernon and Lumby are looking for volunteers to help make the communities safer. RCMP volunteer programs in both communities are recruiting for six positions in Lumby and six positions in Vernon. New candidates will begin the core classroom training April 26-28 and continue May 3-5.

A partial list of operations conducted by RCMP volunteers include:

night patrols of the city;
foot patrols for special events;
speed watch operations;
distracted driving operations;
small vessel safety checks;
theft from vehicle crime prevention; and
disaster response.
For more than 25 years, community-based RCMP volunteer groups have helped to minimize crime occurring throughout Vernon. These are volunteer positions working with the City of Vernon and North Okanagan Detachment of the RCMP under the direction and supervision of the crime prevention co-ordinator and RCMP. To become an RCMP volunteer, applicants must be between the ages of 19-79 years of age, have no criminal record, pass a comprehensive security screening conducted by the RCMP and successfully complete the RCMP volunteer training program In preparation for training, volunteers undergo interviews covering security and program interests. Training involves developing patrol skills, note-taking, court processes, observations skills and incident report writing as well as working with partner agencies such as the RCMP, bylaws department and ICBC. After the 18-hour core classroom training, new volunteers complete 36 hours of patrols with RCMP volunteer trainers who will instruct them on the practical aspects of the program.

For more information visit the RCMP volunteer page or contact Regan Borisenko, crime prevention co-ordinator, at 250-550-7847.

Council Supports Tax Break For Auxiliary Cops

Written by Peter McIntyre Monday, 17 November 2014 17:00
Vernon council would like to see auxiliary police officers get the same tax breaks as volunteer firemen. "We decided to send two letters: one to the federal level and one to the provincial, asking that a tax credit be given to auxiliary RCMP officers," says Mayor Rob Sawatzky after a special meeting of council today. Sawatzky says the request -- led by councillor Bob Spiers -- comes ten years after the death of auxiliary constable Glen Evely who died while on duty in Vernon. The 39 year old Evely was killed November 13, 2004 when his patrol car was struck by a stolen pickup truck following a police pursuit in the downtown area. Volunteer firefighters who perform at least 200 hours of service a year are eligible for a 15% non-refundable tax credit based on an amount of $3,000.
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107.5 KISSFM POLL Results FINAL

Would you support the idea of auxiliary police getting the same tax breaks as volunteer firefighters ?
yes
38-	84.4%
no
7-	15.6%

Number of Voters

:  45

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Don Quixote Note: Links to other items mentioned in this article:
Nova Scotia proposed a Prov. Tax Credit to Auxiliary Officers in 2012.   (ist reading only) http://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/61st_4th/1st_read/b132.htm
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-http://www.memorialribbon.com/en/honour-roll/2004.php
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 What is an RCMP Auxiliary Constable?
 An Auxiliary Constable is an unarmed, unpaid, uniformed RCMP volunteer whose activities are governed under provincial legislation. RCMP Auxiliary Constables may have peace officer or equivalent status, in accordance to their provincial or territorial statutes.

http://actionplan.gc.ca/en/initiative/search-and-rescue-volunteers-tax-credit
Economic Action Plan 2014 announces a 15-per-cent non-refundable Search and Rescue Volunteers Tax Credit on an amount of $3,000 for ground, air and marine search and rescue volunteers. This credit will be available to search and rescue volunteers who perform at least 200 hours of service during a year. Individuals who perform at least 200 hours of combined eligible search and rescue services and volunteer firefighting services in a given year will be able to choose between the Volunteer Firefighters Tax Credit and the new tax credi

t

Recruiting Drive For Auxiliary Constables

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Friday, 01 August 2014 04:26
If you've ever wanted to be an RCMP auxiliary officer, now is the time to give it a try. The North Okanagan detachments have started a recruiting drive with their numbers down, and about 30 more volunteers needed around the area. "It's quite a commitment. It's about 150 hours of training and then we ask for a commitment of a 160 (volunteer) hours a year," says RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk. Molendyk says they haven't had a training program for a number of years. "We have 12 active auxiliaries right now, and a couple of them are getting older and nearing an end of their tenure," says Molendyk. Men and women between the ages of 19 and 65 can apply to become auxiliaries who help out regular officers in certain duties. With training expected to start in November, people can get applications at local police offices.

There's currently about 1,100 active auxiliaries in BC.
The qualifications:
Canadian Citizen
Good character and reputation
Have mature and responsible attitude
At least 19 years of age. Maximum age is 65 to participate in the "ride-along" portion of the program. Each individual will be assessed as to their capabilities to participate in community activities.
High school Diploma or equivalent
Possess a valid BC Driver's License
Be in good physical condition
Successfully obtain RCMP security clearance

The training for an auxiliary constable:
Auxiliary Constables are required to successfully complete an 150 hours of physical and theory-based training, covering subjects on law, powers of arrest, Criminal Code of Canada, Provincial Statutes, courtroom procedure, traffic control, evidence protection, domestic disturbances, handcuffing techniques and arrest techniques, self-defense, baton and pepper spray training, and community presentations.
Two exams are required, midterm and a final examination, in which a minimum of 70% is needed.

Volunteers’ free criminal record checks now in effect

For Immediate Release 2013JAG0360-001788 Nov. 30, 2013
VANCOUVER – Effective today, volunteer and non-profit organizations are eligible for free criminal record checks for their volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults, through the provincial Criminal Records Review Program.

Since amending related legislation last spring, government has made various improvements to maximize the program’s effectiveness and efficiency while ensuring it remains cost-neutral for taxpayers overall. Notable benefits include:

· More thorough “vulnerable-sector checks” – including fingerprint checking where appropriate.
· More efficient sharing of current, verified criminal record checks among groups and businesses in the program, saving them time, paperwork and costs. (This applies only for checks completed within the past five years and involving no determination of risk.)
· More mobility of volunteers and publicly funded employees in the volunteer and non-profit sector. Now, they can consent to sharing verified record checks with multiple organizations, instead of having to obtain extra, redundant checks to work with more than one group.
· Free access to expert risk assessment when a check does identify a criminal record containing relevant offences.

More information on the provincial records review program is at:
www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/criminal-records-review/

• Volunteer agencies that can opt into CRRP starting Nov 30th

Free criminal record checks for volunteers start Nov. 30

VANCOUVER – Beginning Nov. 30, 2013, organizations in B.C.’s volunteer and non-profit sector will be eligible for free criminal record checks for their volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults.

Simultaneous changes to the provincial criminal records review program will:
· Allow more efficient sharing of current, verified criminal record checks among groups in the sector, saving them time and paperwork.
· Provide volunteers and publicly funded employees with more mobility in the sector, since they will be able to consent to sharing verified checks with more than one organization.
· Give businesses and for-profit enterprises an opportunity to access existing record checks of new employees who consent to the sharing of them, thereby eliminating the cost of a redundant check. This will apply for checks completed within the past five years for which there was no determination of risk. (more)

Quick Facts:

·         The fee and record-sharing changes follow related amendments to the Criminal Records Review Act last spring.

·         To ensure the record check program continues to operate on a full cost-recovery basis, the cost for an employee record check will rise to $28 from $20 – equivalent to $1.60 more per year over the five-year life of a check. This increase is the first for the program since 2004.

·         B.C.’s volunteer-based and non-profit agencies retain the freedom to have their local police or RCMP detachment conduct criminal record checks, or to conduct other appropriate screening to ensure client safety. However, fees for these checks outside the provincial program will not be covered by government.

·         In 2011, the provincial program provided nearly 200,000 checks of employees, while B.C. police agencies reported conducting about 80,000 for volunteers.

·         B.C. workers required to have criminal record checks include health professionals, teachers, and employees at licensed care facilities.

More information on the provincial records review program is at:
www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/criminal-records-review/

The Criminal Records Review Act is online at: www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_96086_01