Police in Cranbrook will be getting more manpower with the return of the RCMP auxiliary volunteer program.
Duties for volunteers include helping police with patrols, check stops, searches and scene security, and all under the direct supervision of an officer.
However, Staff Sergeant Barry Graham said volunteers are just there to assist and don’t count towards police numbers.
“Police deployment can not consider the availability of auxiliaries as part of the strength,” he said.
“If it’s a domestic violence call, for example, it requires two police officers. One member and one auxiliary don’t meet that policy requirement.”
The program was recently re-launched after a six-year pause.
Graham said they were quick to get things started in Cranbrook again.
“We had to be one of the first detachments out of the gate to get going with the recruiting and the planning of it,” he added.
The Cranbrook RCMP detachment has had its fair share of staffing issues in recent years, which has made it difficult to run its other volunteer programs like a neighbourhood watch.
MORE: Cranbrook RCMP ask for more funding amid ‘dire’ staffing shortage (Dec. 6, 2022)
They were able to hire a communications coordinator, which Graham says will be a huge boost for their volunteer programs.
“With everything happening now with a communication coordinator, we’ll have someone dedicated to finishing it, rolling it out and identifying the volunteers,” he said.
“We’re so optimistic moving forward with our volunteer programs.”
Former auxiliary members are encouraged to reapply and new volunteers can contact the detachment to learn more about the program.
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