Week 17: Uniform runs, scenarios and morey

Impaired driving investigations

Reducing impaired driving is an operational priority of the RCMP. Police officers attend many calls for service involving impaired driving. Unfortunately, it is the leading criminal cause of death and injury in Canada.

In basic training, cadets learn how to investigate both drug and alcohol-related collisions. This includes recognizing signs of impairment. Cadets take part in scenario-based training where they attend a call for service involving an impaired driver.

Suicide prevention

The RCMP covers large rural areas where police officers may be one of the few responders on scene. Police officers will go to calls for service where a person is having a mental health crisis. Some of these calls may involve suicidal persons.

Cadets learn specialized crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques for handling situations involving individuals in mental health crisis. Cadets learn suicide prevention methods and to pay special attention to these situations. They learn an empathetic approach to working with someone in the crisis.

When they can, police officers work with community partners to better help those in crisis.

Uniform run

The uniform run is an exciting milestone in training. During this run, cadets wear tactical gear, like their soft body armour. This run takes them through different terrain and obstacles. This simulates the kind of running they might have to do on the job.

Cadets also incorporate power training into their physical activity. This is a type of resistance training that increases power with strength and speed.

Running in full uniform is a whole different level of cardio. It wasn't easy to run with a duty belt and vest on. This experience provided me with an opportunity to learn how the actual police work will be in the field. It definitely showed me I need to be prepared physically.

Low light firearms training

Given the nature of shiftwork, there will be calls for service in low-light settings, like at night.

This week, cadets practice using their pistol with the lights turned down in the range. At this point in training, cadets' have developed strong skills with the pistol and are introduced to additional challenges to better prepare them for field work.