Two Sunshine Coast teens are getting a crash course in policing at the RCMP Youth Academy in Chilliwack this week.
Pender Harbour Secondary’s 16-year-old Jordan Haines and Elphinstone’s 17-year-old Edmarson Cabbigat are two of about 50 students from across B.C. accepted into the annual program, which allows teens to experience life in law enforcement at Camp Stillwood near Cultus Lake.
This year’s camp takes place from March 19 to 27.
In order to secure a spot, teens must first apply and then pass a series of interviews, background checks and physical testing.
“Both Jordan and Ed scored really well on their interviews and did well on their fitness tests,” said Sunshine Coast RCMP Const. Ben Stewart, who heads up the youth academy program on the Coast. “They are two fantastic candidates for us.”
Jordan said he applied because he’s had a difficult past and wants to help influence other people in a positive way, possibly through policing.
“I’m adopted. My parents had difficulties in their relationship and with drugs and alcohol and it caused my family to fall apart and I ended up in foster care,” Jordan said. “It would be nice to be able to help other people out and I could do that as a police officer. One thing that I have is the ability to notice when other people are struggling, and I’m able to relate, which can make a big difference.”
Jordan is not committed to a life in law enforcement, but said it’s definitely something he’s interested in learning more about.
Edmarson said he’s always been interested in a career with the RCMP noting he “saw the opportunity and took it,” when Stewart was requesting applicants from Coast high schools late last year.
“We need law enforcement to have a functioning society and being part of that, going under oath to serve and protect, gives you a purpose,” Edmarson said.
Both students will be taught and tested during the nine-day camp that will see them wake each morning at 5:30 a.m. for a rigorous day of physical fitness and instruction in things like arrest procedures, drug investigations, forensic identification, homicide investigations, the use of polygraphs and how to handle impaired driving scenarios.
Training each day won’t end until 8:30 p.m. when students will need to clean and ready their barracks for morning inspection, before lights out at 10 p.m.
It’s not the kind of lazy spring break most teens dream of, but Edmarson and Jordan were excited to take part when they talked with Coast Reporter before leaving the Coast this week.
“I’m looking forward to learning more discipline and just getting more general knowledge of law enforcement,” Edmarson said.
Jordan added that he was looking forward to the “unique experience” the camp would afford him.
