Funding needed for academy

Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 11, 2010 7:00 PM

Vernon’s top cop wants to ensure the recently completed Jean Minguy Memorial Youth Academy remains a fixture in the community. Supt. Reg Burgess said it’s a struggle every year to get financing for the camp, which sees Grade 11 and 12 students from Kamloops through to Osoyoos spend a week learning RCMP basics at the Vernon Army Camp. “We do get community support, but we don’t have a budget so we rely on the communities,” said Burgess. “This year, some people did step up nicely, which got us through again.”The camp costs roughly between $10,000 and $15,000 to operate for one week. Each student who participates is required to pay $500. The fees help cover the rental of the facility, food, busing and track suits for the cadets.

Burgess told local media Monday he has a plan. “I’m going to approach a few people in the community and look to establish a non-profit society to take over the fundraising, so we can assure the camp is a permanent fixture for the community,” he said. The camp has instructors from the Vernon detachment joined by fellow officers from detachments throughout the Okanagan, and Burgess would like to see some financial support from other area detachments. “Right now, Vernon carries the bulk of the load, but we’re looking at getting other school districts and detachments kicking in their fair share,” said Burgess. The Okanagan division of the RCMP Veterans Association chipped in Monday with a cheque for $1,000.

“We’re a fraternal organization, and we do raise a few funds and are proud to support the active force,” said Okanagan president Norm Schroeter , of Vernon. “This youth academy is a great idea as we support police services in the North Okanagan, and it’s great to see the kids get involved.” This year’s camp, which wrapped up Saturday with graduation ceremonies, featured 48 participants, the largest turnout in the academy’s 11-year history. “We had close to 70 applicants and it was hard turning down those kids who didn’t make it because they were all keen and showed an interest,” said Burgess. “We’d like to do the academy for as many kids as we can.”

The students came from the throughout the Okanagan, as well as Kamloops and Clearwater. The academy is named after the late Vernon RCMP Const. Jean Minguy, who drowned while on-duty in Okanagan Lake in June 2005. Minguy was a popular instructor at the academy.