Auxiliary Constable

Canadian Police Volunteers

The Auxiliary Constable performs a similar role to their UK counterpart in the Special Constabulary.

Provincial Auxiliary Programs

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Auxiliary

The RCMP started its Auxiliary programme in 1963 to assist the police during emergencies. The program was created under the Emergency Measures Act, but as time went by, the program evolved into its present day status: complementing the RCMP in general operations [ [http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/nb/auxillary_e.htm RCMP Auxiliary members (accessed 22/12/06)] ] . Auxiliary Constables work in Federal/national (RCMP), Provincial and Municipal Police Forces.

RCMP Auxiliary Constables History

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* RCMP first introduced the program to the provinces in 1963.
* Restricted to provinces/territories which have policing contracts with the RCMP and have provincial legislation providing for the appointment of auxiliaries.
* Active auxiliary programs are currently in place in the provinces of;
** Newfoundland
**New Brunswick
**Prince Edward Island
**Nova Scotia
**Alberta
**Manitoba
**British Columbia
**Saskatchewan

Approximately 2,400 auxiliary members, divided among the different provincial auxiliary programs are currently serving with the RCMP.General policy guidelines are issued from Headquarters. Divisions, in co-operation with the provincial governments, are responsible for organising and administering the program within these guidelines.All costs associated with the program are the responsibility of the provincial government.Uniforms are supplied by the RCMP and costs charged back to the provinces.

Current Status (RCMP)

* Auxiliary members are unpaid volunteers and since they are not employees of the RCMP, they are not entitled to the normal benefits and privileges of regular members.
* Applicants for the RCMP auxiliary constable program are identified in the communities.
* Applicants who volunteer must meet basic requirements.
* Applicants must achieve and maintain a security clearance
*Applicants must volunteer 160 hours annually
* Auxiliary members wear a uniform with shoulder badges showing the word "Auxiliary/Auxiliaire" as well as on their jackets and ballistic vest
* Auxiliaries are authorized to accompany regular members on patrol and perform other police functions under supervision, such as office duties, special events, property checks and traffic and crowd control. Additionally, they often assist regular members during peacetime emergencies and searches for lost persons.
* Participants will be covered by insurance against injury and civil liability and will have completed the approved RCMP training program for auxiliary constables [
* Auxiliary members currently DO NOT carry firearms but are trained in their use, but do carry Expandable Batons, Oleoresin Capsicum Spray (OC Spray) aka "Pepper Spray", and Handcuffs. [http://www.policespecials.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8924&mode=linearplus/ Police Specials.com] .
* In British Columbia, Auxiliary Constables are not police officers and only when they are engaged in duties authorized and accompanied by a regular member in uniform have Peace Officer status but do not have the power to arrest by Ministry policy. [http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/police_services/publications/policies/AuxiliaryConstables.pdf BC A/R Constable policy] ] .

Ontario Provincial Police Auxiliary program

The Ontario Provincial Police Auxiliary program follows a mission statement: “To provide fully trained volunteer Auxiliary Members to perform police duties in special circumstances, including emergencies, when there are not sufficient O.P.P. police officers.” [http://www.opp.ca/Recruitment/Auxiliary/index.htm Ontario Provincial Police ] ] . The O.P.P. auxiliary is a volunteer program where selected citizens receive special training in order to perform many duties such as community policing initiatives and projects, regular patrol, crime and disaster scenes, large gatherings or parades for crowd and traffic control, and traffic control at accidents. [http://www.opp.ca/Recruitment/Auxiliary/opp_000815.html Ontario Provincial Police ] ] The Ontario Provincial Police auxiliary program is the only such Canadian program that requires its auxiliary constables to attend a full time recruit course conducted near its regular training facility in Orillia,. This is followed by ongoing in-service training at the detachments. The program may also serve as a stepping stone for potential future employment. The O.P.P. Auxiliary has an authorised strength of over 900 auxiliary constables and is the largest police auxiliary unit in Canada.

It is recognized that the O.P.P. Auxiliary Constables shall not be utilized to replace regular members in any duties, training must occur for auxiliary personnel to a level to provide necessary skills to safely fulfill the requirements of their mandate under the Police Services Act, and that they participate within those duties which enhance community policing efforts, crime prevention programs, and public service as opposed to direct police service delivery.

The Ontario Police Services Act does, however, provide for instances when the Auxiliary Member may have the authority of a Police Officer. This can occur in an emergency situation where the O.P.P. requires additional strength to cope with a special occasion or event. To insure proficiency, O.P.P. auxiliary constables are required to conduct monthly patrol duties with regular constables. O.P.P. auxiliary constables are not authorised to carry side arms during normal operations, but may be equipped with a long gun when required. All O.P.P. auxiliary constables receive annual training with both side arms and long guns.

History of the O.P.P. Auxiliary

The O.P.P. Auxiliary was originally formed in 1960 by an Order-in-Council when the program absorbed the Emergency Measures Organization who were trained in crowd control and first aid. The Program was managed by the O.P.P. and its members in the early years helped at community events and patrolled with regular O.P.P. members. Following an audit in 1988 a number of recommendations were made and in 1991 they became self-directed and the Commissioner appointed Auxiliary Chief Superintendent Terry Harkins as its Executive Director; Provincial Commander of the O.P.P. Auxiliary.

The volunteer component developed and included ranks, positions, promotional processes that mirrored the regular O.P.P. structure.

In the new organization the Auxiliary took on the responsibility for standardized selection process and training of its members. The Auxiliary O.P.P. uniform differs only in the light blue shirt they wear as opposed to the dark blue shirt worn by regular O.P.P. members and all components of their outwear bear insignia identifying them as “Auxiliary/Auxiliare”In 1997 GATB (General Aptitude Test Battery) and Psychological Testing of new auxiliary recruits commenced.

Members of the auxiliary are “unpaid” and receive some compensation for travel and meals. Enrollment requirements are: Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, minimum age of 18 years, Ontario Secondary School Graduation diploma or equivalent, have “standard” First Aid, mentally and physically able to perform duties of auxiliary member, possess a valid drivers license, good driving records and successfully complete the interview process.

Duties

RCMP Auxiliary

West Shore RCMP Auxiliary Constable Program [ [http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/bc/island/westshore/auxillary_program.html/ Royal Canadian Mounted Police (accessed 22/12/06)] ]

* Bike Patrols
* Coastal Watch
* Community Police Station /Office/Detachment activities
* Community Policing/ Crime Prevention Display
* Community/ Special Events
* Fingerprinting Children
* Neighbourhood Watch
* Personal Safety Lectures and demonstrations
* Safety talk and activities, such as safety audits
* Traffic Control

Ontario Provincial Police

* Traffic control
* Ground security at major events
* Doing surveys
* Seat belt clinics
* Assisting on RIDE initiatives
* Bicycle inspections and rodeos
* Assisting at safety displays and presentations
* Foot and road patrols with regular members
* Accompanying regular members on marine and snow vehicle patrol
* Victim assistance
* Tagging evidence
* Ceremonial duties
* Search and rescue

York Regional Police Auxiliary

Auxiliary members support the regular service in the delivery of community-based crime prevention initiatives and ground searches for lost or missing persons. Members can also be seen volunteering at community events such as parades and fairs and assisting in car and foot patrols.

* Emergency and Disaster Response
* Community-Based Policing
* Crime Prevention Initiatives
* Traffic Control
* General Patrol
* Crowd Control
* Missing Persons Searches

Toronto Police Service Auxiliary

Auxiliary members support the regular service in the delivery of community-based crime prevention initiatives and ground searches for lost or missing persons. Members can also be seen volunteering at community events such as parades and fairs and assisting in car and foot patrols.

* Emergency and Disaster Response
* Community-Based Policing
* Crime Prevention Initiatives
* Traffic Control
* General Patrol
* Crowd Control
* Missing Persons Searches

References

External links

* [http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/bc/island/westshore/auxiliary_program.html/ West Shore RCMP Auxiliary programme]
* [http://www.peelpolice.on.ca Peel Regional Police]
* [http://www.opp.ca/Recruitment/Auxiliary/index.htm Ontario Provincial Police Auxiliary program]

See also

* Special constable
* Special police
* Auxiliary police