Auxiliary Constable
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[edit] Canadian Police Volunteers
The Auxiliary Constable performs a similar role to their UK counterpart in the Special Constabulary.
[edit] Royal Canadian Mounted Police Auxiliary
The RCMP started its Auxiliary programme in 1963 to assist the police during emergencies. The program was created under the Emergency Measures Act, but as time went by, the program evolved into its present day status: complementing the RCMP in general operations [1]. Auxiliary Constables work in Federal/nation (RCMP), Provincial and Municipal Police Forces.
[edit] RCMP Auxiliary Constables History
- RCMP first introduced the program to the provinces in 1963.
- Restricted to provinces/territories which have policing contracts with the RCMP and have provincial legislation providing for the appointment of auxiliaries.
- Active auxiliary programs are currently in place in the provinces of;
- Newfoundland
- New Brunswick
- Prince Edward Island
- Nova Scotia
- Alberta
- Manitoba
- British Columbia
- Saskatchewan
Approximately 2,400 auxiliary members are currently in the program. General policy guidelines are issued from Headquarters. Divisions, in co-operation with the provincial governments, are responsible for organising and administering the program within these guidelines. All costs associated with the program are the responsibility of the provincial government. Uniforms are supplied by the RCMP and costs charged back to the provinces.
[edit] Current Status (RCMP)
- Auxiliary members are unpaid volunteers and since they are not employees of the RCMP, they are not entitled to the normal benefits and privileges of regular members.
- Applicants for the RCMP auxiliary constable program are identified in the communities.
- Applicants who volunteer must meet basic requirements.
- Applicants must achieve and maintain a security clearance
- Applicants must volunteer 160 hours annually
- Auxiliary members wear a uniform with shoulder badges showing the word "Auxiliary/Auxiliaire" as well as on there jackets and ballistic vest
- Auxiliaries are authorized to accompany regular members on patrol and perform other police functions under supervision, such as office duties, special events, property checks and traffic and crowd control. Additionally, they often assist regular members during peacetime emergencies and searches for lost persons.
- Participants will be covered by insurance against injury and civil liability and will have completed the approved RCMP training program for auxiliary constables[2].
[edit] Ontario Provincial Police Auxiliary program
The OPP has among its many initiatives an auxiliary program designed especially for citizens interested in getting first-hand experience in the organization. It is a volunteer program where selected citizens receive special training in order to assist provincial constables in their duty. It also serves as a stepping stone for potential future employment with the OPP. The O.P.P. Auxiliary has 830 volunteers and is the largest police auxiliary unit in Canada. The Auxiliary O.P.P. was originally formed in 1960 by an Order-in-Council. Prior to that it was known as the Emergency Measures Organization who were trained in crowd control and first aid in the event of a nuclear attack from Russia. The EMO transferred over to the O.P.P. and known as Auxiliary. It is recognized that the Auxiliary O.P.P. shall not be utilized to replace regular members in any duties, training must occur for auxiliary personnel to a level to provide necessary skills to safely fulfill the requirements of their mandate under the Police Services Act, and that they participate within those duties which enhance community policing efforts, crime prevention programs, and public service as opposed to direct police service delivery.
[edit] History of the OPP Auxiliary
The Program was managed by the O.P.P. and its members in the early years helped at community events and patrolled with regular O.P.P. members. Following an audit in 1988 a number of recommendations were made and in 1991 they became self-directed and the Commissioner appointed Auxiliary Chief Superintendent Terry Harkins as its Executive Director; Provincial Commander of the O.P.P. Auxiliary.
The volunteer component developed and included ranks, positions, promotional processes that mirrored the regular O.P.P. structure.
In the new organization the Auxiliary took on the responsibility for standardized selection process and training of its members. The Auxiliary O.P.P. uniform differs only in the light blue shirt they wear as opposed to the dark blue shirt worn by regular O.P.P. members and all components of their outwear bear insignia identifying them as “Auxiliary/Auxiliare” In 1997 GATB (General Aptitude Test Battery) and Psychological Testing of new auxiliary recruits commenced.
Members of the auxiliary are “unpaid” and receive some compensation for travel and meals. Enrollment requirements are: Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, minimum age of 18 years, Ontario Secondary School Graduation diploma or equivalent, have “standard” First Aid, mentally and physically able to perform duties of auxiliary member, possess a valid drivers license, good driving records and successfully complete the interview process.
[edit] Duties
[edit] RCMP Auxiliary
West Shore RCMP Auxiliary Constable Program [3]
- Bike Patrols
- Coastal Watch
- Community Police Station /Office/Detachment activities
- Community Policing/ Crime Prevention Display
- Community/ Special Events
- Fingerprinting Children
- Neighbourhood Watch
- Personal Safety Lectures and demonstrations
- Safety talk and activities, such as safety audits
- Traffic Control
[edit] Ontario Provincial Police
- Traffic control
- Ground security at major events
- Doing surveys
- Seat belt clinics
- Assisting on RIDE initiatives
- Bicycle inspections and rodeos
- Assisting at safety displays and presentations
- Foot and road patrols with regular members
- Accompanying regular members on marine and snow vehicle patrol
- Victim assistance
- Tagging evidence
- Ceremonial duties
- Search and rescue
[edit] York Regional Police Auxiliary
Auxiliary members support the regular service in the delivery of community-based crime prevention initiatives and ground searches for lost or missing persons. Members can also be seen volunteering at community events such as parades and fairs and assisting in car and foot patrols.
- Emergency and Disaster Response
- Community-Based Policing
- Crime Prevention Initiatives
- Traffic Control
- General Patrol
- Crowd Control
- Missing Persons Searches
[edit] References
- ^ RCMP Auxiliary members (accessed 22/12/06)
- ^
- Auxiliary members currently DO NOT carry firearms but are trained in their use, but do carry Expandable Batons, Oleoresin Capsicum Spray (OC Spray) aka "Pepper Spray", and Handcuffs.
- In British Columbia Auxiliary Constables, whenin uniform, have Peace Officer status when in the presence of a Police Officer and do have the power to arrest. Given to them under s.8 of the Police Act
- ^ Royal Canadian Mounted Police (accessed 22/12/06)
[edit] External links
- West Shore RCMP Auxiliary programme
- Peel Regional Police
- Ontario Provincial Police Auxiliary program
