If nothing else, the students learn how vital a life hack making a bed is.
But there’s more – TONS more – to the Jean Minguy Memorial Youth Academy, held in Vernon, where high school students from the Okanagan and beyond get a week-long taste of RCMP training.
The popular event, which regularly draws a full slate of attendees, is held at the Vernon Army Camp, where the students also live for a week. The host Vernon North Okanagan RCMP detachment documented a portion of the academy on social media.
Upon arrival, the students were given their uniforms, had their accommodations at the camp sorted out and, of course, they went for a run.
Throughout the week, the academy simulates a week of RCMP training for the students, who may be interested in pursuing some portion of law enforcement as a career.
They were taught police defensive tactics as a component of training.
1They practiced making arrests, learning to resolve and de-escalate situations using communication, perfecting the handcuffing technique, and were trained to use and deploy training intervention options.
“We put them through some scenario based training exercises that challenged them to apply these skills, think critically, and make decisions under stress,” said the RCMP. “There was a ton of learning and quite a few laughs along the way.”
Away from the army camp, the squad known as Troop 23 visited a Vernon elementary school where they played games and spent time reading with students in several classrooms. The cadets even put on a short drill demonstration that the kids absolutely loved.
The visit really reinforced to the cadets the significance and importance of these principles to the actual police officers.
The troop also spent classroom time during the academy covering the history of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police force, the principles of law, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Part of the academy also saw the students learning about the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team, and had a chance to canoe out on Okanagan Lake – guided by Michael Ochoa, Okanagan Indian Band youth justice worker.
The students learned about the historical and cultural importance of the water to the Okanagan Nation.
The week culminated with the annual graduation ceremony at the Vernon Army Camp.
The camp is named in memory of Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Const. Jean Minguy, who drowned on-duty in Okanagan Lake on June 3, 2005.
READ MORE: RCMP youth academy makes return to Vernon Army Camp
READ MORE: WATCH: B.C. high school students get taste of RCMP life
roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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