Eight months after it's announcement, the 琉璃神社 RCMP is now accepting applications for the return of its Auxiliary Program.

鈥淎uxiliaries are uniformed but unarmed and serve as sworn peace officers supporting the staff and regular members of the 琉璃神社 RCMP detachment," said 琉璃神社 RCMP media relations officer Sgt. Laura Pollock. "Auxiliary volunteers are highly trained and dedicated volunteers who contribute to making our community safer. These specialized volunteers help foster connections between police and the communities they serve."

At a 琉璃神社 City Council meeting on Feb. 27, 2024, Inspector Beth McAndie confirmed the return of the program, which was also announced by the provincial government. 

The program was suspended in April 2020 pending an internal review by the RCMP. According to the council meeting, the new auxiliary program will feature a new tiered model that will allow divisions and contract partners to choose one or a mixture of tiers based on local needs.

According to Pollock, auxiliary officers won't be seen on 琉璃神社 streets for another six to eight months while the interview and training process is ongoing.

Those who apply and are accepted are volunteers who will receive a BC Police Act Appointment as a sworn peace officer after completing the approved RCMP and Provincial Ministry of Justice training. They will be trained and and authorized to perform non-enforcement policing and crime prevention in the community which includes:

• Community/special events;
• Home and business safety checks, safety talks and activities;
• Traffic and crowd control;
• Disaster planning and emergency preparedness assistance; and
• Searches for lost persons.

"You might see them out doing traffic enforcement during community events such as marathons or parades, those types of activities," said Pollock. "They also can help with disaster planning and emergency preparedness and they can help search for lost people that more people we have out on the ground that are trained with our skills to help us locate people is great for us in our community."

The training inductees must complete the RCMP training curriculum which incorporates:

• Law and police procedures, e.g. Criminal Code of Canada, Provincial Statutes, courtroom procedures;
• Effective communication and presentation skills;
• Officer safety training;
• Police techniques, e.g. evidence protection, handcuffing, arrest, etc.;
• Community policing and crime prevention activities.

Those interested in becoming a candidate must have the following:

• Minimum 19 years of age;
• Maximum 60 years of age;
• Proficient in English;
• Committed to the program for 2 years and 180 hours per year;
• Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident (5 years in Canada);
• Have successfully completed high school or attained equivalent work-related experience;
• Able to obtain RCMP reliability status security clearance;
• Possess a valid Class 5 BC driver鈥檚 license;
• Have no business or employment that may cause a conflict of interest.

鈥淲e鈥檙e starting with a smaller wave of auxiliaries just to get the program up and running,鈥� said Pollock, who specified they're aiming to start with 20-25 officers.

It's unknown at this time if the program also includes West 琉璃神社 and Lake Country. 

The program is fully funded by the Government of Canada, not costing the City of 琉璃神社 or 琉璃神社 RCMP anything.

Anyone interested must sign up for and attend an information session minimum requirements, commitment, duties and training, and more are all discussed. People can reach out and sign up for the session by sending an email to e_kelowna_auxiliary@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.