Objectives of Program - - Expectations of Constables - - Qualifications of Constables
History of the Auxiliary Constable Program in "D" Division
The auxiliary constable program in Manitoba was launched when 27 auxiliaries were sworn in on September 25th, 1992. The Department of Justice of the Province of Manitoba funds this program on an annual basis. Each year’s grant provides funding for training and the appointment of additional auxiliary constables. As of March 1999, a total of approximately 140 auxiliaries were active.
The Community Policing Services Branch of the RCMP in this division administers the program. Each year, each subdivision is allocated a certain number of positions, and the officer commanding the subdivision designates which detachments will receive these positions. Similar provincial programs also exist in several other divisions.
On November 3rd, 1996, 10 federal auxiliary constables were appointed. This program, the first of its kind in the RCMP is both funded and administered by the RCMP. Like their provincial counterparts the federal auxiliaries volunteer their time. In this case working with various federal sections within the division. Sections that utilize these auxiliaries include customs and excise, Immigration and Passports, Drugs, Proceeds of Crime, Special Investigation and Criminal Analysis. The federal auxiliary constables are usually specialists with expertise in such areas as accounting, computer programming, community relations, criminology and sociology.
Volunteers
Volunteers are special people – they offer their time, efforts and skills to perform tasks, receiving no financial compensation in return. Auxiliary constables, like all volunteers can reasonably expect two other kinds of "rewards" for what they do – SATISFACTION and APPRECIATION.
The work they do should provide some intrinsic satisfaction. If auxiliaries feel that the tasks they are performing are interesting, beneficial to the community, and helpful to the force, then they will be motivated to continue. This is of course, will not be true of everything they do. Everyone, paid or not should expect to find some aspects of a job boring or even unpleasant.
The second pay-off for a volunteer is appreciation and recognition. This may not happen frequently, but an occasional word of thanks, and even some periodic formal recognition that the volunteer’s efforts are helpful, can be very motivating.
For any volunteer program to be successful, the needs of the organization as well as those of the volunteer must be met. Detachments have particular needs that auxiliary constables can help to meet. Choosing candidates that can work in those areas and providing appropriate training can help ensure that the detachment and the volunteer will benefit.
Training and communication are important elements in working with volunteers. Many skills and procedures that are regarded as simple, and "just common sense" to a trained and experienced police officer may be challenging to a volunteer auxiliary constable. Detachment personnel who are willing to invest some time, effort, and patience in a planned training program should experience positive results are their auxiliaries become increasingly competent.
Communication in both directions is also very important. Volunteer’s should be prepared to ask many questions, both about how to do the job and about their performance. Members who work with auxiliary constables should be willing to explain procedures and provide feedback.
Another important responsibility of the volunteer is time commitment. Auxiliaries should carefully communicate how much time they are able to provide and be sure to report to the detachment at the pre-arranged times.
Since its inception in 1992, the auxiliary constable program in Manitoba has proven to be a successful venture for both the RCMP and for the volunteer constables. The investment of some time in planning, training, and on-going communication can help ensure continuing benefits both for detachments and for volunteers.
Objectives of the Auxiliary Constable Program
Auxiliary constables are citizens who volunteer their time, without pay, to provide assistance to regular members of the RCMP in carrying out their community policing responsibilities. In addition to these responsibilities, RCMP policy allows for auxiliary constables to provide assistance in both normal and emergency police operations under the direct supervision of a regular member of the RCMP.
The auxiliary constable program is designed to enhance community policing in the division and to provide opportunities for citizens to volunteer and participate in the administration of justice. Auxiliary constables are not intended to replace regular members or other detachment personnel. They are provided with sufficient training and authority to assist in some operational policing duties, which will vary from detachment to detachment.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that involvement in operational policy I a secondary aspect of the program. The real value of the auxiliary constable program is to provide a link between the community and the police.
As community residents, auxiliary constables can bring to the local detachment considerable familiarity with the community and its residents. This information can be extremely helpful in community policing activities. As local residents, the volunteers can help detachment personnel to clarify problems, identify partners within the community, seek solutions and evaluate results (C.A.P.R .A).
Expectation of Auxiliary Constables
RCMP policy in "D" Division requires a minimum contribution of two eight-hour shifts per month from each auxiliary constable (A minimum of 24 days per year). To the extent that these volunteers are able to provide more time than this, they will accelerate their learning of policing methods and will be of greater assistance to their detachment.
In the process of doing this type of volunteer work, auxiliaries should expect the following:
On a more positive note, auxiliaries can also expect to learn a great deal about policing in their communities and have the satisfaction of being helpful to an important community service.
Auxiliary constables are subject to detachment regulations, as well as to "D" Division and federal policies and directives relating to the auxiliary constable program. They are expected to be familiar with and accountable to these requirements.
Auxiliaries are expected to take direction from regular members with whom they are assisting, or from the member in charge of a detachment.
Qualifications of Auxiliary Constables
An applicant who volunteers as an auxiliary constable must:
NOTE:
There is considered to be a business or employment conflict of interest if the applicant is a :
The auxiliary constable program is not intended as a "training ground" for individuals who has aspirations for a career in some facet of the justice system. Detachments are encouraged to select candidates who are established members of the community and are likely to remain as part of the community for a considerable period of time. This will ensure a high probability of extended volunteer service and enable continuing involvement in and enhancement of community-based policing activities.