A family in uniform: A legacy that starts at home

May 15, 2026 - Kelowna, British Columbia
From: British Columbia RCMP

Content

An image of a police officer standing alongside his sons recently captured the attention of hundreds online, drawing likes, views and comments across the Kelowna RCMP’s social media platforms. 

In the photo, Media Relations Officer Cst. Mike Della-Paolera and his sons stand in front of the RCMP detachment, one in uniform and one in office attire; as the photo captions “policing runs in the family”; representing the father and son trio answering calls serving their community and for many viewers, representing something special.

Policing is often referred to as a family business, and at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that sense of family runs deep. Across the country, it is not uncommon to see multiple generations and relatives proudly wearing the RCMP red serge, each carrying forward a shared commitment to service. 

But for the Della-Paolera Family, this policing legacy didn’t begin with history, it began with inspiration. 

Long before Cst. Mike Della-Paolera ever put on an RCMP uniform, one of his earliest impressions of policing came from his childhood neighbour, a Yukon RCMP officer. 

“He was bigger than life and so confident,” Mike recalls. “He was really impressive.”

Years later, that early spark would be reinforced much closer to home.

His sister, Cst. Michelle Della-Paolera became the first in their family to join the RCMP, setting a path no one else in their family had taken before. Coming from a background rooted in trades, with a father who worked as a stone mason, policing wasn’t part of the family history until Michelle changed that.

“She was the one who assured me I was going to be a good Mountie,” he said.

With encouragement from his sister and the support of his wife, Cst. Mike Della-Paolera made the decision to pursue policing later in life; balancing family and uncertainty along the way. In 2011, he graduated from Depot, marking the start of a career that would not only shape his own future, but his family’s as well.

Fast forward two decades later, Mike continues to serve on the frontline and in his community, now as a media representative and a school resource officer with the Kelowna RCMP.

Through his roles with the Kelowna RCMP, Mike showcases not only his commitment to policing behind and in front of the cameras, but he has also become a well-known public figure in the local community as his tall height is often recognized by the public and the youth; allowing him to easily connect, educate and spread positivity and safety messaging to those he meets. 

For the Della-Paolera family, policing was never an expectation for their children, just one of many possibilities as a career path.

“We always encouraged our kids to follow their dreams and supported them with whatever they wanted to do”, Mike says, “but I guess law enforcement is the new family legacy, thanks to Michelle.” 

When his son Jordan expressed interest in becoming a Mountie, Mike wasn’t surprised; “we knew there was nothing else for him. I’d say he was born to be one.”

Overtime, and through lived experience and early exposure, Cst. Jordan Della-Paolera’s dreams of becoming a Mountie began to take shape, and he is now posted as a Constable at the Burns Lake RCMP Detachment. 

“I got to witness my dad graduate from Depot when I was 11, which was incredible for me and had me instantly hooked. “ 

While Jordan now wears the same uniform as his dad, his brother Kyle also found his place within the RCMP, working behind the scenes at the Canadian Police Information Centre where he plays a critical role in updating the National law enforcement database, creating dispatcher files for officers, playing a critical role in public safety but from a different angle. 

“Kyle’s name will show on dispatched files, I love seeing his name there”, says Mike noting that his children have assisted him at a point of his career from the frontline to the first response. 

Together the sons represent different paths but with the same purpose. 

Since becoming an RCMP officer, Mike has documented his experiences, sharing the realities of becoming a Mountie to his son Jordan who was away at Depot at the time, as both father and son can now relate to their shared experiences of becoming an officer. As Jordan often proudly refers to his dad’s career and stories to be motivational and encouraging not only to himself, but others who inspire to become an RCMP officer. 

As Mike shares advice to his sons of “being the best team member you can be “and “A sharp Mountie is always a good look”, jokingly including a lesson in ironing his uniform before Jordan left for training. 

Because like every proud father at every milestone, Mike now introduces his sons as colleagues.

With two years of service completed for the young Constable, the father and son duo have since then worked a few shifts together, both calling it the milestone and the highlights of their careers, building their father-son relationship once built on curiosity to now one built on shared experiences.

“There was a time when I didn’t fully understand what he did,” Jordan said, “now I see it firsthand” as the pair lean on each other for advice more often than before. 

But despite working in different environments, a small northern detachment verses larger urban policing in Kelowna, the connection between Mike and Jordan remains the same, if not even stronger because “when we are not in uniform, I still see him as my dad and always will”.

For Mike, watching his sons’ step into their own roles brings both pride and perspective.

“They are always my boys,” he says. “But it’s pretty special to be able to talk shop with them- they understand what the job is really like.” 

From seeing Jordan confidently handle calls on the frontline to spotting Kyle’s name on dispatched files, moments like these reflect something bigger than career. These moments reflect how positive influence, encouragement and positive values help shaped a path across decades.

Because behind the uniformed photo that captured attention online is something much more lasting than a moment; it’s a story of family, service, the courage to take a chance and a legacy still unfolding.

Quotes

“We always encouraged our kids to follow their dreams and supported them with whatever they wanted to do, but I guess law enforcement is the new family legacy, thanks to Michelle.” 

Cst. Mike Della-Paolera

“I got to witness my dad graduate from Depot when I was 11, which was incredible for me and had me instantly hooked."

Cst. Jordan Della-Paolera

“Kyle’s name will show on dispatched files, I love seeing his name there."

Cst. Mike Della-Paolera

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