Call Issued for Auxiliary Constables
Auxiliary Constables Joe Naaykens and Giulio Massini, photo 250News
Prince George, B.C. – For anyone who has ever thought about either joining the RCMP or, being a volunteer in the Auxiliary , the time is now.
The window of opportunity has been opened to accept applications for new Auxiliary members. Right now there are 13 Auxiliary Constables, and the hope is to boost that number to just over 30. “We are hoping that with the opportunity for training and time to gain experience, these Auxiliary members will be ready to help during the 2015 Canada Winter Games” says Ewen Freethe the Auxiliary Co-ordinator.
Joe Naaykens has been an Auxiliary Constable in Prince George for 19 years. “I wanted to give something back to the community” says Naaykens, who is a CN Engineer when he is not in his auxiliary uniform.
Giulio Massini has been an Auxiliary Constable for 7 years. He too wanted to make a positive contribution to the community and being an Auxiliary Constable has full filled his longtime dream of being on the force. “I wanted to be in the RCMP, but back in the 70’s there were height restrictions and I wasn’t tall enough.” Instead, he was an engineer, commercial pilot and airforce reservist until answering the call for Auxiliary recruits 7 years ago.
There is no pay for the position, but both Auxiliaries say the role is rewarding. “We visit schools, interact with the kids, and it’s just great to see how positive they are” says Massini.
For Naaykens, the most rewarding day was on Canada Day a few years back when he was approached by two people from Sierre Leone “They asked if they could have their picture taken with us, They wanted to send the photo back home to show how, in Canada, you can stand beside police without fear. That day, I succeeded in fulfilling all the positive public relations duties. I will never forget it.”
It isn’t easy to sign up. There are certain qualifications, you have to be at least 19, in good health, physically fit, able to pass a security clearance and an interview, be willing to take part in 120 hours of initial training, and be willing to volunteer a minimum of 160 hours each year.
The hours are flexible, the Auxiliary Constables set their own time tables to fit their schedules. They don’t get paid, but Naaykens and Massini say the work is rewarding.
Foot patrols, speed watch, school visits, ride along with members, just some of the duties in which Naaykens and Massini take part.
As full Peace Officers, an Auxiliary member can do anything a regular police officer does, except, they have to be directed to take the action. They do not carry firearms, but are equipped with uniform, radio, gloves, baton, pepper spray a flashlight and two sets of handcuffs.
The recruitment for Auxiliary members only happens every five years or so, with the last call for volunteers going out in 2005.
Often, those who sign on as Auxiliary, later take the next step and join the RCMP to become full fledged members. Such was the case for Sergeant Al Steinhauser who served as an Auxiliary Constable in Kamloops for several years before joining the RCMP. Sgt Steinhauser ( who is head of Traffic Services for the P.G. detachment, ) now serves as Assistant Co-Cordinator of the Auxiliary program.
Anyone interested in signing up, can submit a request of interest to pg_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Comments
Plenty of cop wannabes right on this site. Step up tough guys, now is your big chance to do more than talk.
âWe are hoping that with the opportunity for training and time to gain experience, these Auxiliary members will be ready to help during the 2015 Canada Winter Gamesâ says Ewen Freethe the Auxiliary Co-ordinator.”
Don’t forget the Enbridge pipeline protests for after the govt approves the project.
Building for the future?
Ya Steinhauser, the guy who permits loud pipes on motorcycles that are not in compliance with the city of PG noise bylaws.
This is an excellent program for those who want to volunteer some time to their community, and very rewarding.
Would be nice to see some of those who constantly complain join, but I really don’t think they’d be accepted. That being said, give it a shot, whaddya got to lose?
Dragon: Pipes, really? Go volunteer, perhaps you can help tone those pipes down LOL.
And Joe, I’m in shock, early 70’s I would never have thought you’d be where you are today, Congrats.
Thanks, if I feel the need to be screamed at, threatened, and spat on, Ièll just referee a kids hockey game.
Whoops….I’ll
“Ya Steinhauser, the guy who permits loud pipes on motorcycles that are not in compliance with the city of PG noise bylaws.”
Are you kidding me? We put loud pipes on our bikes so moron drivers of PG might look up and pay attention instead of fiddling with the radio, texting or talking on their phones. I CANNOT get from one side of town to the other without a “near miss” and my “loud pipes” are the problem??? The first time I can get from 5th ave to Canadian tire without some clown threatening my life I will drop the loud pipes… so instead of always crapping on the bikers maybe go after the idiots who force our hand!
Loud Pipes Save Lives!
If you don’t believe it… try riding a motorcycle around PG for an hour. If you don’t ride… SHUT UP!
I think South Park explained the use of loud pipes quite nicely. It has little to do with safety.
Grizzly1,volunteer with that gang? That’ll be the day.
Loud pipes are very cool sounding, nothing like the roar of straight pipes while cruising down the highway.
What I don’t get is why you dorks who run them feel the need to let everyone in the neighborhood know you have them while riding through RESIDENTIAL AREAS WHERE PEOPLE ARE ENTITLED TO PEACE AND QUIET AND MANY ARE IN BED TRYING TO SLEEP YOU MORON!
If you don’t ride SHUT UP? LOL, that’s a good one.
I have had good and bad experiences with rcmp auxiliaries I find very few to be “a reason to join” but yes there are a few good ones. However when speaking of a civilian being trained by pg RCMP I am not in support! Not to put down the few good men and women who are wonderful officers and do so much good in our community, but those have unfortunately become outnumbered. To me it is even more concerning that the not so “respectable ” or “lil I got something to prove ” will be training these auxiliaries to have their own conduct. That worries me most. If we were talking about real men and women putting something good into our community I think that’s a wonderful idea however unfortunately most of us in pg have been left to feel less protected and more in defense of our rights then needed , due to the misguided and power hungry PG RCMP who do not hold themselves to the appropriate conduct level as they should. I don’t know why everyone e is discussing pipes and bikes! We live in pg … It’s OURS no matter what u drive or ride, I’m sure we all want the respect of the officers WE PAY AND EMPLYOEE in our home town. As well As the auxiliaries they will be training!
“Thanks, if I feel the need to be screamed at, threatened, and spat on, Ièll just referee a kids hockey game”
LOL, that’s about the truth of it!
Dragon, same in my neighborhood, don’t see the need for the noise or the speed in residential areas.
Lil ol pg, this is a transient community and it is a tough town to police. Time and again I have seen the patience these good men and women have when they have to deal with our sick underbelly. If you don’t like it, go and apply to be an auxiliary, and no, you don’t speak for most of us in PG, you speak for yourself.
And Joe, my bad,your Dad is the one I worked with I think.
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