The RCMP's announcement (Nov. 7) that it is accepting applications for the return of its auxiliary program is welcome news to Mayor Tom Dyas.
He told Black Press Media that the city had applied to be a B.C. pilot community for the program approximately a year ago.
“We’re in the top three or so that have this coming to their communities,” the mayor added. “We’re grateful.”
Adding auxiliary officers to support the city’s RCMP complement, bylaw officers, and community programs such as the Downtown Kelowna Association and Rutland On-Call Team is one of the priorities for the Mayor’s Task Force on Crime Reduction.
Auxiliary officers will take on non-enforcement community policing and crime prevention responsibilities. These could include traffic and crowd control, disaster planning, emergency preparedness assistance, policing special events, home and business safety checks, and other duties.
“A number of things are what we were looking for them to do,” Dyas said. “Without them, it places a greater demand on the RCMP.”
Applications for auxiliary officers are being accepted until Dec. 24, with the selection process taking place between January and April 2025. Selected officers will undergo training until September.
“We did not think it was going to be rolled out until next summer,” Dyas said. “To know that by next summer, not only will they be training on our streets, but shortly thereafter it will be in full operation, is just great news.”
The mayor added that auxiliaries will be a tremendous benefit to the city.
“Working alongside our community safety units and allowing for additional patrols… it just helps put more preventative measures in place within our community.”
The auxiliary program is fully funded by the federal government.
