Between April 19th and 26th of this year, Nunavut RCMP and the Nunavut Department of Education partnered on a brand new initiative which resulted in the first ever RCMP Youth Academy Program for Nunavut. The objective was to select Grade 11 and 12 students from throughout Nunavut to attend a one-week version of the RCMP's National Training Academy - "Depot Division". 22 Students were selected throughout Nunavut to attend this Youth Academy in Iqaluit and they were exposed to the many rigors of a police academy environment that included early morning physical training, drill and deportment classes, self defense, presentations on law, domestic violence, drugs, forensics, polygraph, accident scene investigations, suicide prevention , career presentations and a day of cultural based land activities. Four RCMP instructors from the RCMP's Depot Division in Regina, Saskatchewan were flown into Iqaluit to lead the Academy week in support of local RCMP officers to add realism to the initiative and environment.

The week culminated with a formal graduation ceremony that was attended by many dignitaries and graduation certificates and were presented to each student by the Commanding Officer "V" Division RCMP- Chief Superintendent Steve McVarnock. Three students were also presented with specific recognition awards for their accomplishments throughout the week.

The overall objective of the RCMP Youth Academy was to foster a positive learning environment between youth and the RCMP and to allow each youth to hone their leadership, community and team building skills. This in turn will assist these students in pursuing their future professional and personal goals.

The cost of making this Youth Academy a reality was an initial hurdle that had to be overcome. The costs of air transportation, barracks accommodation, food, books, track suits (the uniform of the Academy) and many other miscellaneous items had to be dealt with. As this initiative was not a budgeted item, the RCMP sought out community corporate support and very quickly many community partners came on board with generous support that allowed this Academy to "operationalize into a reality".

The Iqaluit Rotary Club was one such sponsor and after a written request was put forward, the Club generously agreed to purchase the track suits (and embroidery) for the students direct from the supplier. As a result, the students were "uniform in their appearance" which added immeasurably to the Academy environment. "V" Division RCMP and the Department of education would like to thank the Iqaluit Rotary for their ongoing generous support and contribution to this worthy youth initiative in Nunavut.

Submitted by:

Steve McVarnock
Chief Superintendent
Commanding Officer
"V" Division RCMP