RCMP looks to recruit more diverse cadets in P.E.I.
Last year, P.E.I. resident Harleen Kaur took part in DICE, the RCMP's Diverse and Inclusive Pre-Cadet Experience that aims to recruit newcomers to Canada.
She was back with the program last week, but this time under contract with the P.E.I. RCMP as recruiter, making the pitch to other newcomers to try out DICE.
The goal of the program is to attract potential cadets who reflect Canada's increasingly diverse population.
"Canada is a diverse country, and if [the RCMP is] not diversified you can't ... deal with situations," said Kaur, who is originally from India.
"Diversity is important because Canada is diverse."
Harleen Kaur is currently working with the P.E.I. RCMP on recruitment. (Ken Linton/CBC)
According to the RCMP's website, the DICE program is designed to remove barriers that affect racialized and underrepresented groups, including newcomers and people from diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
Normally, applicants to the RCMP must be Canadian citizens or have been a permanent resident for at least three years. People can apply to DICE as soon as they get their permanent residency, without the waiting period.
Applicants are paired with an RCMP mentor who helps guide them through the process. Participants spend three weeks at the RCMP's academy in Regina learning what police training could look like.
Kaur was one of two Islanders accepted to go to the depot last year, and the training helped her focus on areas where she needs to improve for when she does become eligible to apply to the cadet program.
Joshua Mori, a P.E.I. resident with Japanese and Australian heritage, said he's long dreamed of becoming a police offer. He attended the DICE session to see what options could be open to him.
"The pre-cadet experience seems like a great opportunity for people who are looking to get into the RCMP who are from different backgrounds from around the world. I think it's a great opportunity for people to learn that the RCMP is a warm and accepting organization," he said.
"Maybe you'll see me in the red serge next time. Who knows?"
Simrengeet Kaur, who is originally from India, said police forces in that country often have a height requirement. Such a restriction doesn't exist for RCMP cadets, so long as they're physically fit.
She's interested in becoming a police officer so she can work with an increasingly diverse public.
"Here, I'm getting an opportunity and I will definitely like to grab it," she said.
"If someone is from my community, I can interact with him, he will be much [more] comfortable and we will be able to help them out."
