The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor The Flin Flon RCMP will take part in a work-placement program designed to boost the number of aboriginal Mounties. Kayla Campbell, a recent graduate of the RCMP's Aboriginal Pre-Cadet Training Program, was scheduled to soon begin a 14-week placement at the local detachment. 'I think the RCMP is an optimal career,' said Campbell. 'You don't just sit at a desk all day long. You're always doing something different every day helping out the community, making a difference.' A resident of The Pas, Campbell was one of seven young Manitoba adults to complete the pre-cadet training, which took place at the RCMP training academy in Regina. Between the ages of 19 to 29, the graduates have also come from Moose Lake, Cross Lake, Brandon and Winnipeg. Besides Flin Flon, participating RCMP detachments are in The Pas, Cross Lake, Dauphin, Fisher Branch, Portage la Prairie and Selkirk. During their placement, the cadets will work alongside Mounties, gaining an inside look at a career in law enforcement. 'I am incredibly proud of the young men and women who have successfully completed the Aboriginal Pre-Cadet Training Program this year,' said Bill Robinson, commanding officer for the RCMP in Manitoba. 'Community policing is at the heart of what we do and I encourage these cadets to seize this opportunity and really shine in their communities.' Once the cadets have completed their placements, they will be mentored and encouraged to start the process of joining the RCMP. Since 1996, 411 candidates have graduated from the cadet program. More than half went on to apply to the RCMP. Over 40 candidates have gone on to become police officers with the RCMP and 19 are employed in other capacities. The RCMP describe their aboriginal cadet program as a way to build workplaces that better represent the communities they serve.
