The RCMP Youth Academy is underway this week.
While students are on break, the Lloydminster RCMP is offering a mini-police-course over the week, for students in grades 10 to 12.
Registration was this past Friday for the free opportunity for an immersive experience in policing and the program continues until this Friday.
Wednesday, February 17th, the participants not only got acquainted with one of three RCMP helicopter pilots, stationed out of Edmonton, (and got to check out the state of the art chopper), they were also paid a visit by Lloydminster’s Police Dog Services.
“People always like seeing out Police Dog Services. It’s always something that’s fun… they’re able to see the usefulness, and what it is that we do with the dog, as well as see the power that he has, and the ability to apprehend suspects,” said Constable Grant Kirzinger.
One of the participants, grade 12 student at Holy Rosary, Tristen Shannon was most interested by the helicopter though. As an Air Cadet, he has experience with aircraft, and raved about choppers’ capability of hovering over trees. Shannon’s favourite experience from the week so far is the teamwork he said.
“Definitely the drill with the Staff Sergeant. It’s a really good person-building experience, for sure. It teaches us a lot about ourselves and about how we can work with others,” said Shannon.
The program wraps up on Friday at 2:30 p.m., when there will be a small graduation ceremony for the Youth Academy members for completing the week’s crash course in policing.