Young people solved crimes, learned self-defence and shot targets among a variety of other activities at the second annual Kids ‘n’ Kops camp Aug. 12 to 16.
The week-long series of activities was designed to introduce the workings of the RCMP to local young people.
And the criminal in the mock crime did not get away.
“Each group solved the murder and arrested the greedy murderess,” says Terrace RCMP community policing and media relations officer Const. Angela Rabut.
“It was a great team effort.”
Terrace RCMP, together with Terrace and District Community Services Society’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Terrace, showed the young people various aspects of an RCMP officer’s job, said Rabut.
In addition to investigating a crime scene at Ferry Island, self-defence training, firearms safety and target shooting with the Terrace Rod and Gun Club, the youths participated in an example of the RCMP Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE) test, learned techniques for reducing stress, took tours of the courthouse and fire department and rescued a person from the water with Terrace Search and Rescue.
The kids also took on the cops in a water gun standoff at Lakelse Lake followed by a celebration barbecue where everyone received a participation certificate and a gift from the Terrace RCMP.
“The goal of this camp was to build positive relationships with youth and show them what police officers do,” said Rabut.
“A police officer’s number one responsibility is to protect and preserve life. That was a common topic of discussion in all that we did throughout the week.”
It was such a success last year that it welcomed 21 youths this year, up from 12 last year thanks to increased financing, she added.